SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Bemidji State University Men's Basketball season came to a screeching halt Wednesday evening losing in heartbreaking fashion at University of Sioux Falls in the first round of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.
 
For the second consecutive season, the Beavers fell victim to a buzzer-beating shot falling to the Cougars 66-68 at Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
In his final game wearing the green and white, senior Dalton Albrecht led the Beavers scoring 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting and pulled in 13 rebounds including nine on the defensive side. Junior John Sutherland also recorded a double-double after scoring 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
 
Bemidji State came out firing and jumped out to a 11-2 to lead over the first four minutes of the game. The hot streak continued over the next wight minutes as the Beavers increased their lead to 16, their highest of the game, with 12:14 to play in the first half.
 
However, the Cougars would score the next 12 points to chip away at the Beavers lead and with 4:30 to play, took their first lead at 28-29. USF would enter the first half with a three-point lead at 34-37 but sophomore Tate Olson tied the game with the first bucket of the second half.
 
The second half would be a back-and-forth battle with the teams trading baskets and included four lead changes. The Beavers seemed to pull away seven minutes into the half scoring on three straight possessions and held a six-point lead. The Cougars would charge back again however, and with 6:37 to play, retook the lead at 56-57.
 
The teams traded baskets through the remaining six minutes and with 59 seconds left, USF held a two-point lead and possession of the ball. A big block by Olson on the defensive end gave the Beaves the ball with 28 seconds remaining and after head coach Mike Boschee called a timeout with 10 seconds left, BSU ran an inbounds play that Albrecht finished at the hoop to tie the game at 66-66 with six seconds left.
 
That was too much time for the Cougars as Jack Thompson weaved his way through the Beavers' defenses and nailed a last second floating layup at the buzzer to claim the victory.
 
The Beavers end the season with a 13-16 (9-13 NSIC) record.
 
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).


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).
 
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