BOYS BASKETBALL: Bemidji breaks through for first win of season

DETROIT LAKES – The losing streak is over and the Bemidji boys basketball team can finally celebrate its first victory of the season.

“It feels very good to get that first win,” said BHS coach Dan Ninham after his players downed Detroit Lakes 71-60 in Detroit Lakes.

“A 1-11 record sounds much better than 0-12 does. Winning at Detroit Lakes is a tremendous accomplishment. It was a team effort. The coaches all came together to help the cause and the kids came through.”

A tough defense and contributions from everyone on offense were the keys to the victory. BHS opened a 38-20 lead at the break and, although the Lakers were able to draw within seven points in the second half, the Lumberjacks never allowed the home team to complete the comeback.

“We still have to work on our poise but Tuesday we got the lead and had enough poise to keep the cushion,” Ninham said.

“The players are understanding their roles and executing their roles. Offensively we had five guys in double figures. Dillon Bruns had eight rebounds in limited action. Billy Baumgartner had five assists and James Hendricks gave us nine rebounds, three assists and two steals and played the distance.”

Baumgartner led the scoring with 20 points while Connor McNallan tallied 15, Hendricks 12, Richard Seado 11 and Jeremiah Huseby 10.

The Lumberjacks will shoot for their second victory Saturday when they head to Fargo South.

Bemidji (71): Baumgartner 7, 4-5, 20; McNallan 7, 1-3, 15; Sommer 0, 0-0, 0; Strong 0, 0-0, 0; Ingalls 0, 0-1, 0; Seado 4, 3-4, 11; Hendricks 5, 0-0, 12; Bruns 1, 1-2, 3; Huseby 4, 2-2, 10. Totals: 28, 11-17, 71

Detroit Lakes (60): McLeod 5, 2-3, 12; Hedstrom 2, 0-0, 5; Singer 1, 0-0, 3; Long 8, 2-4, 20; Cihak 1, 2-2, 4; Champa 2, 0-4, 4; Groth 1, 1-3, 3; Eiter 1, 0-0, 2; Jackson 3, 0-0, 7. Totals: 24, 7-16, 60

3-point FG: Bemidji 4 (Baumgartner 2, Hendricks 2), Detroit Lakes 5

Fouls: Bemidji 17, Detroit Lakes 17

Halftime: Bemidji 38, Detroit Lakes 20