BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Men's Basketball team returns to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play this weekend as it travels to Upper Iowa University and Winona State University for its first road trip of 2023. The Beavers (9-5, 4-4 NSIC) look to add to their four-game winning streak after defeating University of Mary, Minot State University and Northland College last week. BSU starts its trip on Friday with a 7:30 p.m. start time in Fayette, Iowa, followed by a 5:30 game Saturday in Winona, Minn.
 
The Series vs Upper Iowa
·         Bemidji State leads the all-time series against Upper Iowa, 13-10.
·         The Beavers and Peacocks last met Jan. 8, 2022, with an 85-81 win by Upper Iowa in Bemidji, Minn.
·         UIU leads the series 6-5 when playing in Fayette, Iowa.
·         BSU and UIU first met Dec. 16, 1949, a 97-69 win by Bemidji State.
 
The Series vs Winona State
·         Winona State leads the all-time series against Bemidji State, 57-80.
·         The Beavers and Warriors last met Jan. 7, 2022, with a 79-74 win by WSU in Bemidji, Minn.
·         WSU leads the series 45-20 when playing in Winona, Minn.
·         BSU and WSU first met Jan. 21, 1950, with a 60-56 win by BSU.
 
 
Fast Break Bemidji State

• BSU added to its winning streak after a successful nonconference game against Northland College 91-82 Monday night after last weekend's wins against Mary (77-67) and Minot State (81-73).
• John Sutherland was the leading scorer of the weekend with 67 points over the three games, and a career high with 26 points against Mary on 13-for-16 shooting.
• Bemidji State attempted its most three-point shots of the season with 29 against Northland making nine and tied the season high of free throws making 24-of-34.
• The Beavers had their second-best shooting performance of the season so far, converting on 57% of their shots. In the second half BSU converted on 65% of its shots against Minot State.
• In the previous two games Sutherland recorded two more double-doubles doubling his season total to four. Sutherland scored 25 and grabbed 12 rebounds against Minot State followed by 16 points and 15 rebounds when hosting Northland.
• The starting forwards for Bemidji State are the lead point scorers totaling 462 on the season. Sutherland is averaging 19.3 point per game and is sixth in the NSIC with his 232 points. He is followed by Dalton Albrecht with 230 points and averaging 16.4 ppg for 11^th in the NSIC.
• Sutherland has climbed to second place in rebounds per game in the conference after averaging 11.3 in the previous three games. In the game against Northland, Sutherland broke 100 season rebounds and is up to 108.
• Bemidji State holds on to third place for offensive scoring in the NSIC with 81.1 ppg but are ranked 12^th on defensive scoring allowing 77.3 ppg.  
• Mohamed Kone is leading the Beavers in assists with 46 after dishing out 11 on the weekend. Freshman Brayden Williams has been trading the lead with Kone, now at 41 on the season.
• BSU continues to in lead team field goal percentage in the conference with .497, holding a .018 percent lead over the second-place team. In opponent field goal percentage, the Beavers are ranked 13^th with opponents shooting .465. The Beavers are ranked 24^th in Division II with their shooting percentage.
• The Beavers are 15^th in turnovers and are 13^th in assist to turnover ratio with a 1.04 ratio.

  
Scouting Upper Iowa

• Head Coach Brooks McKowen starts his 10^th season with the Peacocks (157-123). 
• Upper Iowa (7-7, 4-4 NSIC) lost its game on New Year's Eve to Winona State 68-81 for its third loss in a row.
• UIU averages 79.6 points per game shooting 44.3% from the field and 34.5% from behind the arc.
• Senior guard Jake Hilmer leads Upper Iowa in points and assists. Hilmer is ranked second in the NSIC with 5.6 assists per game. 

 
Scouting Winona State

• Head Coach Todd Eisner starts his eighth season with the Warriors (108-90).
• WSU (8-5, 3-5 NSIC) defeated Upper Iowa on Saturday 81-68. 
• WSU averaged 70.6 points per game shooting 40.9% from the field and 30.0% from behind the arc.
• Sophomore Connor Dillon leads the Warriors with 249 points, 94 more than Luke Martens in second for WSU. Martens in his last two games led the team with 51 points. 

 
For more information on the Bemidji State Men's basketball program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeavers), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) or sign up for the TXTUpdates from BSUBeavers.com text-messaging system through the "Multimedia" pull down menu on the main page of BSUBeavers.com.
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association 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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