BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University outscored the University of Minnesota Crookston men's basketball team 53-37 in the second half as they defeated the Golden Eagles 109-85. The Beavers were on fire from the field as they shot 62.7 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc. UMN Crookston had a strong day overall from the field, hitting at a 45.5 percent clip, but defensive struggles would help Bemidji State prevail Saturday, February 20.

The Golden Eagles fall to 2-14 (1-13 NSIC). Bemidji State improves to 7-9 (6-8 NSIC) as they earned the series sweep in the final games for both games.

Key Players
Minnesota Crookston was guided by the play of freshman Josh Dilling (Oshkosh, Wis.). Dilling had 28 points on 9-of-15 from the field and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Dilling finished the season leading the Golden Eagles with 14.7 points per game. Zach Westphal (R-So., G, West Fargo, N.D.) had one of the best games of his young career with 11 points on 4-of-9 from the field. Leonard Dixon (Jr., F, Damascus, Ore.) added nine points, as did George Blaj-Voinescu (F, Brasov, Romania). Hunter Lyman (Fr., F, West Fargo, N.D.) led the Golden Eagles with five rebounds.

Bemidji State looked to an outstanding performance from senior Derek Thompson with 45 points on 17-of-24 from the field, and 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Nick Wagner added 20 points. Dalton Albrecht came off the bench for 13 points.

Key Statistics
Bemidji State was an impressive 42-of-67 from the field for 62.7 percent. The Beavers finished 10-of-22 for 45.5 percent from beyond the arc. UMN Crookston finished the night 30-of-66 from the field for 45.5 percent. The Golden Eagles shot 10-of-27 for 37.0 percent from behind the three-point line.

Bemidji State outrebounded Minnesota Crookston 38-28. The Beavers had 21 assists on their 42 baskets.

Key Runs
The Golden Eagles pushed out to an 8-6 lead following a Dixon try with 18:13 left in the first half. UMN Crookston then used an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 18-11 following a Dilling jumper. Bemidji State then used a 20-5 run to turn the tables and take a 31-23 lead with 7:43 remaining in the stanza. The Golden Eagles trimmed away at the lead and pulled within one at 34-33 with a Quintin Winterfeldt (So., G/F, Waupun, Wis.) fastbreak dunk with six minutes left in the half. The Golden Eagles would remain within two points with 3:14 left in the half. Bemidji State was able to close the half out on an 11-5 run as they went into the locker room with a 56-48 lead.

A Mohamed Kone dunk put a stamp on a 6-0 run for Bemidji State to open up the second half to put Bemidji State ahead by 14. The Golden Eagles trimmed the lead down to 12 with two Dilling free throws with 17:45 left in the game. The Beavers responded with an 11-2 run to take the 75-54 advantage with 14:58 left in the game. UMN Crookston cut the lead down to 16 at 83-67 following a pair of Dilling free throws. However, Bemidji State countered with a 7-0 run to widen the gap to 24 with under 10 minutes remaining. The closest UMN Crookston got the rest of the way was 19 points as the Beavers earned the 109-85 win.

Up Next
UMN Crookston wrapped up their season on Saturday with the loss to Bemidji State. The Golden Eagles have a young squad returning for the 2021-22 season, as their only senior was Ibu Jassey-Demba (F, Birmingham, England).