BEMIDJI, Minn. (MSU Dome) -- Senior Travis Bianco and sophomore John Sutherland combined to score over half of Bemidji State men's basketball's points Saturday during an 80-78 loss at Minot State University. The duo scored 21 points each to help overcome a double-digit deficit despite falling to 5-6 overall and 2-5 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Bianco and Sutherland's 21 points led all players in scoring, including 16 points from Bianco in the second half. Minot State took a game-high, 10-point lead late in the second half before holding off a BSU rally.

The Beavers took the first lead of the night on a layup from Bianco before a 12-4 run by Minot State. Sutherland followed with five straight points followed by 3-pointers from senior Gare Ewefada and freshman Jayce Lowman to take its first lead since Bianco's layup, 17-14. BSU and MiSU traded leads over the final 10 minutes of the first half as Minot State took a 36-35 lead into halftime.

Bianco and Sutherland scored six of BSU's first eight points of the second half, tying up MiSU 43-43 with 15:41 to play. Minot State followed with a 14-5 run until the 11:53 mark with a 57-48 lead. MiSU extended its lead to 10 with less than six minutes to play when Bianco and Sutherland scored nine of BSU's next 11 points to cut the deficit to two points, 73-71.

Baskets from freshman Jayce Lowman and sophomore Dalton Albrecht kept BSU within two points before Bianco tied the game at 78-78 with 16 second s to play. Minot State's Melvin Newbern took a pass from the NSIC-leader in assists Max Cody and sank the game-winner with four seconds to play.

Bemidji State took its first loss when shooting over 50 percent and also connected on 8-of-21 3-point shots. Minot State also shot at least 50 percent from the field and won the rebound margin, 33-29.

For more information on the Bemidji State athletic programs, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeavers), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).

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).

--bsu--