ABERDEEN, S.D. -- A back-and-forth battle was setting up a thrilling finish for the Bemidji State men’s basketball team on Friday night, but instead, No. 16 Northern State stormed ahead down the stretch to beat the Beavers 75-54 in Aberdeen, S.D.
Derek Thompson and Sharif Black helped BSU (4-5, 1-3 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) take a 32-31 lead after a tight first half. Three of Thompson’s four buckets in the paint gave Bemidji State a one-point edge, while Black tallied a team-high 12 -- including BSU’s last points before the break -- for the 32-31 advantage.
The final 20 minutes began similarly. A tough Christian Pekarek layup made for the second half’s fourth lead change in the opening five minutes, with Bemidji State in a 37-36 advantage. The fifth lead change, though -- a transition layup for rim-runner Carter Evans -- proved insurmountable for the Beavers.
Although BSU kept within a possession leading into the final 10 minutes, the Wolves (9-1, 3-0 NSIC) stormed off soon after.
Ian Smith provided the game-changing spark for NSU, draining back-to-back threes within 30 seconds, making for a 10-point edge at 58-48 with seven minutes to play.
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Logan Bader answered for Bemidji State with a post move inside, but Northern rattled off the next 12 points to ensure a blowout. And, despite 30 minutes of neck-and-neck play, the Wolves took a 21-point win in the 75-54 final.
Black finished with 14 to pace the Beavers. Jai’Vionne Green added 10, while Bader and Pekarek had nine points apiece to go along with nine and six rebounds, respectively. Additionally, Thompson finished with eight points and six boards in a career-high 33 minutes.
For NSU, DJ Pollard totalled a game-high 17 points, with Evans adding 15 and Logan Doyle 10.
BSU will look to rebound in its 6 p.m. matchup with Minnesota State Moorhead tonight in Moorhead.
No. 16 Northern State 75, Bemidji State 54
BSU 32 22 -- 54
NSU 31 44 -- 75
Bemidji State (4-5, 1-3 NSIC) -- Black 14; Green 10; Bader 9; Pekarek 9; Thompson 8; McNallan 2; Rovney 2; Sorenson 0; Chase 0; Baumgartner 0; Shepski 0; Yetka 0. Totals 20-50 12-13 54.
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Northern State (9-1, 3-0 NSIC) -- Pollard 17; Evans 15; Doyle 10; Smith 9; King 6; Peterka 5; Decker 4; Kallman 3; Fries 3; Kranhold 3; Dahl 0. Totals 27-60 14-19 75.
