BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Gymnasium) -- A 12-point comeback bid by Bemidji State University men's basketball was spoiled during a heartbreaking, last-second loss to the University of Mary, 55-53, Saturday evening at BSU Gymnasium. The Beavers were held scoreless over the final three minutes of the game as they fall to 7-14 overall and 4-13 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Sophomore forward John Sutherland led BSU with 14 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine. He hit 7-of-10 shots from the field while senior guard Travis Bianco was the only other Beaver to reach double-digit scoring at 13 points.

Bianco opened the game with a 3-pointer that was part of six back-and-forth scores between BSU and UMary. Neither teams' lead grew more than three points over the first 13 minutes of play before UMary went on an 11-0 run over a span of four minutes. BSU gave away six turnovers during the run and dropped the deficit to nine points at halftime, 29-20.

BSU faced a 12-point, 37-25 deficit early in the second half that was erased with 5:47 to play. Senior guard Mohamed Kone scored all nine of his points on the night during the Beavers' 22-4 run to take a seven-point, 53-46, lead with 3:13 left in the game. Bemidji State's defense limited UMary to 1-of-7 from the field during the seven-minute stretch.

The Beavers missed key shots late after going 0-of-4 from the field and a missed free throw with 24 seconds to play. The Marauders put in an offensive rebound for a layup along with a foul to go ahead by two points with two seconds remaining.

Bemidji State returns to the road Feb. 11-12 to take on Northern State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead.

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 Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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