The Bemidji State University (BSU) men’s basketball team played the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs Saturday evening, and couldn’t find a way to be on the winning end of a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) battle at the R/A Facility. BSU lost to the Mustangs 71-67.
In the first half, the Beavers played a smart offense, making good passes and getting easy layups and jump shots. BSU scored 20 points in the paint and had 14 assists in the first 10 minutes.
The two teams played at the same pace, going back and fourth, keeping the score at a tie 18-18. After a BSU free throw, Beavers crept into the lead with 19-18.
But when the Beavers turned over the ball a few times, the Mustangs took a 4-point lead. BSU fought back, taking control of the ball. Senior guard Seth Haake made another 4 points, helping the Beavers jump ahead 28-23 in the last four minutes of the half.
Freshman guard Lance Rongstad, who scored 12 points in the first half, was unable to play in the second half due to an injury. Meanwhile, BSU began the second half with a small lead.
Within the first seven minutes, the Mustangs stepped up their game and took the lead with a 3-pointer, bringing the score up to 48-46. Both teams stayed consistent with rebounds and passing, but Beaver sophomore guard Bryce Tesdahl scored 4 points with 11 minutes remaining, pulling BSU back into the lead, 52-48.
The game continued with mini-runs from each team, the score board staying close in points. From the 10:59 minute mark to the four minute mark, the lead changed four times and the game was tied three times.
With 4:34 minutes left, the game was tied 60-60.
At 2:40 minutes left, freshman Burke Lendl made the quickest and cleanest spin move of his young collegiate career in the lane to lay-up a bucket with the shot clock ticking away. The lead didn’t last long, and two Mustang free throws tied the game at 62-62 with 2:13 minutes remaining.
With 1:15 minutes left, the Mustangs knocked down a 3-pointer, causing their home crowd to roar as they broke the tie and pulled ahead 65-62.
During the last 24 seconds of the game BSU had reoccurring fouls. The Mustangs made most of the free throws and gained rebounds, keeping them in the lead, 69-62, at the last 18 seconds.
With 11 seconds left, Haake hit a deep 3-pointer and Tesdahl raced down the court for a 2-point layup. Unfortunately the Beavers couldn’t catch up and faced another loss, 71-67.
Tesdahl led the team with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists, playing in 38 of the 40 minutes. Haake posted 15 points. Rongstad and freshman guard/forward Mason Walters made 12 points. Walters added four assists and three rebounds.
The Beavers only turned the ball over five times in the game, earning 11 takeaways and 14 points off turnovers.
The Beavers will be concentrating on not turning over the ball in their next week of practice and return home Feb. 5-6 for two NSIC games, starting with Concordia University-St. Paul at 8 p.m.
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