BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Gymnasium) -- Guard Christian Pekarek totaled 18 points, led by 5-of-5 shooting from behind the arc, in Bemidji State University men's basketball's 89-52 win over Mayville State University Tuesday night in BSU Gymnasium. The Beavers (3-0, 0-0 NSIC) converted 13 3-pointers in the team’s best shooting performance of the season.
A 15-2 run to begin the game gave Bemidji State a quick momentum boost while forcing four turnovers during the span. The Beavers closed out the game with a run as well, 12-5, while finishing with 27 points off turnovers. Pekarek tied a career-high from behind the arc while also chipping in five assists.
The run to begin the game was led by Ben Best, the team’s leading scorer through two games, while scoring six points. The Beavers felt a hot hand from all during that run while shooting 6-of-7 from the field. Though the shooting percentage dropped through the game, it didn’t seem by much as BSU finished the half shooting 53.6 from the field and making eight 3-pointers. Short runs through the first half continued to push the Bemidji State lead, before Pekarek’s fourth 3-pointer gave the team its largest lead of the half at 22 points with one minute left.
After a 46-27 lead coming out of halftime, the Beavers looked to get more action going in the paint. BSU scored 22 second-half points in the paint while increasing the lead on short runs. The bench became more active in the final period while totaling 22 of 35 points, for the unit. Pekarek converted his fifth and final 3-point shot of the night to spark a 9-0 run late in the second half, giving the Beavers an 86-49 lead.
William Harvey finished close behind Pekarek in scoring, putting up 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Elijah Valdez added 13 points off the bench while sinking three 3-pointers. Best and Calvin Harrington also reach double-digit scoring. The Beavers ended the night shooting 55 percent (33-60) from the field and 56.5 percent (13-23) from behind the arc. BSU finished with 32 points in the paint.
The Beavers travel for the Viterbo Classic to take part in two exhibition games in La Crosse, Wis., Friday and Saturday. The Bemidji State will first play Cardinal Stritch University at 5 p.m. followed by either Jamestown University or Viterbo University on Saturday.
Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
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