BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Gymnasium) -- Sophomore forward Dalton Albrecht opened the 2022 year with a career day to lead the Bemidji State University men's basketball team to a 70-46 win over the University of Minnesota Crookston. Albrecht recorded career highs with 21 points and 10 rebounds, marking his first career double-double, as the Beavers improve to 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Bemidji State jumped ahead to a 6-3 lead after forcing Minnesota Crookston to miss its first four shots along with two turnovers. UMC came back with four straight points for its first and only lead of the game, 7-6, before Albrecht scored 11 of BSU's next 15 points over a 10-minute span. He converted three straight layups for the Beavers to go ahead by 10, 21-11, with 4:29 in the first half.

The Beavers limited the Golden Eagles to just four field goals over the opening 20 minutes, including two 3-pointers. Six of UMC's 16 first-half points came from the free throw line while BSU scored 22 points in the paint alone in the first period.

BSU's run continued through the second half as UMC shot just 31.4 percent (11-35) from the field over the final 20 minutes. The Beavers added 40 points in the second half, behind 16 points in the paint and five 3-pointers.

Following Albrecht in scoring was senior forward Derek Thompson with 16 points and seven rebounds while senior guard Travis Bianco added 15 points on 5-of-7.

Bemidji State returns to normal conference play with a homestand Jan. 7-8 against Winona State University and Upper Iowa University at BSU Gymnasium.

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).

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