BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Men's Basketball will host Wayne State College and Augustana University Friday and Saturday to start the 2025 portion of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. 
 
The Beavers hold a 25-31 record against the Wildcats with a 2-3 record in the last five games. Under Head Coach Mike Boschee, the Beavers have gone 8-7. Versus the Vikings, the Beavers are 9-18 in the all-time series. In the last five games, the Beavers have gone 3-2 including wins in the NSIC tournament in 2023 and taking down the then No. 21 Vikings in 2019. 
 
Bemidji State Notes

• The Beavers enter the weekend at 5-7 overall and 2-4 in the NSIC. Prior to winter break, BSU split a home-and-away weekend against St. Cloud State University and University of Mary. BSU grabbed a win over UMary with a 72-70 final score. 
• Close games have been a common theme for the Beavers this season with 25% of games ending with a final score deficit of three or less points. Of these four games, the Beavers have gone 2-2 with the two wins both ending at a score of 72-70.
• Malang Athian holds the top scoring position for the Beavers with 149 points in 12 games, averaging 12.4 per game with the team's top field-goal shooting percentage of .459. He also leads the team with a .778 free-throw percentage, making 28 of his 36 attempts this season and averaging three makes per game. 
• Tate Olson dominates the Beavers' rebounding efforts with 100 rebounds in his 12 starts. Olson averages 8.3 per game with 7.6 on defense per game. 
• Following this weekend, the Beavers will have two weeks on the road, making stops in Mankato, Winona, Duluth and St. Paul, Minn. They'll return to Bemidji on Jan. 24 and 25 to host Southwest Minnesota State University and University of Sioux Falls, respectively. 

 
Wayne State Notes

• The 8-5 Wildcats have struggled in NSIC play this season, marking two wins and five losses against conference opponents. They have dropped three of their past four games, marking a 1-3 record on the road. 
• Matt Noll has claimed WSC's top scorer spot, marking 168 total points this season, followed closely by JJ Ferrin at 152 points. The pair also hold the top field goal and three-point shooting percentages on the team, respectively. Though the Wildcats' rebounding efforts are relatively evenly split, Cody McCullough has the lead with 64 total rebounds, averaging 6.4 per game.

 
Augustana Notes

• AU sits at 5-8 so far this season with a 2-5 record in the conference. Prior to the break, the Vikings grabbed a pair of wins over No. 24 Southwest Minnesota State University and Wayne State, holding both teams to just 59 points each. 
• Tanner Te Slaa leads the scoring charge with 185 points this season, averaging 14.2 per game. He also leads the team in three-point shooting and rebounds with a .390 shooting percentage and 83 total rebounds, 6.4 per game.

 
 
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).