BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Men's Basketball team ran into a tough task Friday night as Augustana came out with several big plays and stops in the first half to help carry the Vikings to the 98-77 win over the Beavers Friday night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.
Augustana (11-7, 6-6 NSIC) built a 20-oint halftime lead and never looked back. Bemidji State (10-7, 6-5 NSIC) tried to get back into it several times in the second half, but each time the Vikings had the answer.
BJ Davis opened the scoring 41 seconds in when he hit a three-pointer. Following a free throw by Dalton Albrecht, the Vikings reeled off the next 15 points and never looked back.
The Beavers fought back to within six following a three-point-play by Davis and a free throw by John Sutherland near the midway point of the half. Augustana kept their foot on the gas, jumping the lead back into double digits.
The Beavers trimmed the deficit to 16 a couple of times on baskets by Daxton Dayley, but the Vikings went into halftime holding the 50-30 lead.
Bemidji State made one last push just past the midway point of the second half. A jumper by Sutherland, was followed by a layup from Sutherland before he finished the three-point-play to cut the deficit to 14. Augustana quickly built the lead back up unleashing a 6-0 run in under a minute to put the game out of reach.
Sutherland paced the Beavers with 20 points, along with five assists and four rebounds. He went 8-12 from the field. Albrecht was approaching another double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds. Dayley added 12 points. Tate Olson just missed double-figures in scoring with nine.
The Beavers went 28-66 (42.4) from the field, 6-25 (24) from three and 15-22 (68.2) at the foul line. The Vikings were 38-70 (54.3) from the field, 8-22 (36.4) from three and 14-16 (87.5) at the foul line. Isaac Fink led Augustana with 25 points, followed by 21 from Jadan Graves. BSU held the edge in points off turnovers (9-6).
Bemidji State will conclude the four-game homestand on Saturday against Wayne State starting at 5:30 p.m. The Wildcats lost at St. Cloud State, 79-61, on Friday.
For more information on the Bemidji State Men's Basketball program, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversMBB). Like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversMBB).
Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, BSU 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).
