BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Men's Basketball team couldn't have asked for a better start. After shooting over 65 percent from the floor and turning that into 50 points in the first half, the Beavers carried that momentum into the 83-76 win over Southwest Minnesota State University in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Friday night inside the BSU Gym.
It was another typically strong shooting half at home for BSU (14-7, 9-6 NSIC). The Beavers connected on 19-29 from the field, which included a 7-13 effort from downtown. They also added a 5-6 effort from the foul line for good measure. While John Sutherland's 10-11 red-hot first 20 minutes certainly helped the numbers, Brayden Williams added a 4-5 clip, including 3-4 from three. Dalton Albrecht connected on a pair of treys as well.
SMSU (13-7, 9-6 NSIC) opened the scoring 12 seconds in, just to watch Bemidji State respond with a big 9-0 run. Williams started the scoring for the Beavers just over a minute in. Mohamed Kone took off hitting a long ball and then adding a pair from the line, around a jumper by Sutherland to account for the run.
After keeping the lead hovering around six, the Mustangs fought back to tie the game at 15 at the 13:31 mark. SMSU eventually took just their second lead of the night at 22-20 at the midway point of the opening half.
Albrecht followed with a pair of free throws that helped ignite a 10-0 run to put the Beavers in the driver's seat the rest of the way. Albrecht continued the run with a triple and after Jayce Lowman sunk one from downtown, Sutherland closed the run with a layup.
With time winding down in the half, SMSU had closed the gap to eight with 2:27 to play. That was enough time for the Beavers to go on another extended run. Sutherland hit a layup and then a pair of three-pointers by Williams followed as BSU finished the half on an 8-0 run to open a 50-34 halftime lead.
Kone started the second stanza in style coming up with a steal and transition dunk just 26 seconds in. That moved BSU out to their largest lead of 18 on the night, a mark they reached twice on the evening.
SMSU didn't go away quietly. Trailing by 16, the Mustangs mounted a quick 9-0 run to cut the deficit down to seven at 57-50 near the midway point of the half. In what became a theme of the night, BSU had an answer. Sutherland converted a three-point play and after triple by Lowman, Kone collected another steal and transition dunk to cap the 8-0 run that took less than a minute to push the lead back out to 15 at 65-50.
The Mustangs still didn't let the Beavers pull away completely. Over the next three minutes, SMSU slowly chipped away, using a 10-0 run to pull back to within five at 65-60 with still 8:26 to play. Down the stretch it was a close battle, with BSU stretching the lead back out to 10 with 2:31 to play on a pair of Williams' free throws.
SMSU made one final push after those foul shots, getting a quick triple and an offensive rebound and putback to cut the lead back in half at five, 78-73, with 1:39 to play. The Mustangs fouled Williams and he calmly hit two from the line to move the advantage back to seven.
A pair of defensive stands followed by the Beavers before a Kone free throw moved BSU ahead by eight at 81-73 with under a minute to play. The Mustangs tried again to get back into it hitting a triple, but free throws by Kone and another defensive stand sent the Beavers to the 83-76 victory.
Following the hot start, the Beavers cooled off slightly but still made 30-56 (53.6) from the field, 10-25 (40) from three and 13-16 (81.3) at the foul line. It's the 12th time this season BSU has shot over 50 percent from the floor and improve to 12-0 in those games. It's the eighth time this season the Beavers have made at least 10 three-pointers, going 6-2 in those games. BSU forced 17 turnovers which led to a big 31-12 points off turnovers advantage. The Beavers also dominated inside the paint holding a solid 40-24 edge.
Sutherland just missed another double-double scoring a game-high 25 points and adding eight rebounds. He also added five assists to tie for the team lead. He went 12-16 from the field. Kone added 17 points and tied Sutherland for the team lead in assists with five. Both Sutherland and Kone played all 40 minutes. Williams tallied 15 points, including three long balls. Albrecht gave the Beavers four in double-figures checking in with 13 points, going 3-3 from downtown.
Dunwa Omot paced SMSU with 22 points, while Anthony Costello added 18. The Mustangs went 28-57 (49.1) from the field, 12-27 (44.4) from three and 8-9 (88.9) at the foul line.
The Beavers are now 9-1 at home and have won six-straight on their home floor. With the win, the Beavers continue to solidify their spot in fourth in the North Division of the NSIC which would host a first round conference tournament game. The Beavers lead Minot State and UMary by three games following tonight's results.
Bemidji State will look to continue their winning ways at home when they host Sioux Falls tomorrow (Saturday) starting at 3:30 p.m. inside the BSU Gym. The Cougars picked up the 98-74 road win at Minnesota Crookston earlier tonight.
