BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Men's Basketball (6-12, 3-10 NSIC) fell to Concordia University, St. Paul (13-6, 8-5 NSIC) 99-95 on Friday night at BSU Gymnasium. The Beavers recorded 14 three-pointers, but the Golden Bears' 54-point second half secured the victory.
 
Bemidji State opened with a scoring drive as Dominic Fairbanks hit a jumper to set the pace early. The team's offense was efficient, with Austin Josephson contributing critical defensive stops including a block, while also scoring on a layup. They went on to secure a lead with a string of successful field goals, including three-pointers from Fairbanks and John Pecarich, bolstering the team's momentum.
 
As the half progressed, Bemidji State maintained its edge through consistent scoring and defensive rebounds, led by Fairbanks and Hedqvist. Despite the Golden Bears closing the gap with fast breaks, the Beavers held their footing, punctuated by a layup from Eddie Jallow Hedqvist in the final minute. The first half closed with the Beavers leading 49-45, setting a strong foundation for the game.
 
Bemidji State began the second half with a narrow lead, but the half saw momentum shifts throughout. The Beavers maintained their advantage early with Pecarich hitting multiple 3-pointers, including one at 18:48 to widen the gap. Concordia-St. Paul responded with a strong inside game, eventually narrowing the lead.
 
Midway through the half, Bemidji St. capitalized on free throws, with Pecarich converting three in a row at 11:36, keeping the score in their favor. However, Concordia-St. Paul continued to press, and Ben Kopetzki's 3-pointer at 10:58 further closed the gap.
 
In the final minutes, the game remained tense. Although Hedqvist and Pecarich continued to score from beyond the arc, CSP managed to pull ahead with a series of free throws. With  Concordia-St. Paul leading 96-89, despite a late push from Bemidji St. that included a 3-pointer by Pecarich at the final buzzer, ending the half 99-95 in favor of CSP.
 
John Pecarich led the team with a career-high 47 points, setting the program's single-game scoring record. He connected on 9 of 13 from beyond the arc, tying the program's single-game three-pointers made record, and converting all 12 free throw attempts, setting the program's single-game free-throw percentage record. Fairbanks added 14 points, including three successful 3-pointers, and dished out three assists. Hedqvist contributed 11 points and recorded two assists. Josephson posted a perfect field goal percentage, scoring 9 points and recording four blocks.
 
The Beavers are currently 6-12 overall and 3-10 in NSIC play. The Golden Bears stand at 13-6 overall and 8-5 in the NSIC. In their next game, the Beavers will host Winona State University on Saturday, Jan. 24. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at BSU Gymnasium in Bemidji, Minnesota.
 
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 Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).