BEMIDJI, Minn. – The shooting returned when the Bemidji State University Men's Basketball team needed it as the Beavers connected on 53 percent from the field to defeat Northern State by a score of 86-70 on Tuesday in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play inside the BSU Gym. The win also snapped a 13-game losing streak against Northern State. 

Bemidji State (11-12, 7-10 NSIC) connected on 35-66 (53) from the field, 9-27 (33.3) from three and 7-7 (100) at the foul line. John Sutherland and Dalton Albrecht had monster games. Sutherland was approaching a triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Albrecht added 26 points and nine rebounds. BJ Davis reached double-figures with 10 points.

The Beavers moved out to a seven-point lead just over seven minutes in following a big dunk by Sutherland off an assist by Davis at 19-12. After Northern State () got back to within a point with 6:31 to go in the half, BSU got hot again from the field.

Albrecht closed the half hitting a three-pointer and then converted a three-point-play to boost BSU to the 45-37 halftime lead.

Sutherland, Olson and Davis hit three straight layups to push BSU to the 55-40 lead just over five minutes into the second half. The Wolves pushed to get back to within 11, just to watch the Beavers balloon the lead once again.

Sutherland hit a layup and a jumper, around five points from Johnny Tennyson to push the lead to 18. Northern State made a couple of runs to get to within 10, but the Beavers had the answer. With the last push bringing the lead to 78-68 with 3:35 to play, Davis hit a three-pointer to ignite an 8-0 run to seal the win. Albrecht added a jumper and closed the just over a minute run with a triple that had the lead back to 18.

Bemidji State made over 50 percent from the field in a game this season for the eighth time, as the 53 percent clip against the Wolves is the fourth-best this season. BSU also made over 50 percent in Aberdeen this season (27-53). Head coach Mike Boschee is just two wins from becoming the winningest coach in program history, currently at 146 wins.

The win was big in the NSIC standings as Bemidji State is now tied with Northern State for ninth at 7-10. The Beavers are just a game and a half back of the eighth spot currently occupied by Sioux Falls at 8-8.

Bemidji State will close the week playing at Minnesota Crookston this Thursday starting at 7:30 p.m.

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).