ST. PAUL, Minn. – Bemidji State University Men's Basketball fell to the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Saturday afternoon, 90-65. This exhibition game marked the start of the Beavers' 2024-25 schedule. 
 
Graduate student Christian Koonce led the Beavers with 11 points. Koonce hit 50% of his shots from the field, going four-for-eight, and from the three-point arc, marking two of four shots. He was able to grab a point off his lone free-throw attempt along with three rebounds and one assist. Jalen Patterson followed Koonce with 10 points off three field goals, two three pointers and two free throws. At the rim, Malang Athian let the Beavers with six defensive rebounds. Isaac Severts grabbed five with three offensive and two defensive. Peyton Newbern tallied two steals and two assists, along with his eight points. 
 
As a team, the Beavers marked 12 points off turnovers and held the Gophers to just 15. BSU beat UMN in second chance points, 17-4, and bench points, 40-27. The Beavers struggled defensively on fast break opportunities, grabbing just two points in the first half and allowing the Gophers 21 total points. 
 
With the lead changing six times throughout the game, the Beavers found all three of their leads in the first half. The match was evenly spread in the first half with a score at halftime of 41-40 in favor of the Gophers. The Gophers' largest lead of the first half sat at five points, twice, with both leads quickly diminishing. 
 
Following this weekend, Bemidji State travels to Kansas City, Mo. to play in the Central Region Challenge Nov. 8 and 9. Hosted by Pittsburg State University, the Beavers will take on University of Central Missouri and University of Arkansas-Monticello at 11 a.m. both days. The team then returns home to host Valley City State University and University of Minnesota Morris Nov. 13 and 19, respectively. NSIC action kicks off at the start of December against University of Minnesota Crookston and Minot State University after the Beavers' annual trip to Florida for two games. 
 
For more information on the Bemidji State Men's Basketball program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversMBB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversMBB).
 
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).