Box Score

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State connected on 13 of 25 3-point field goals, including five from Max Bjorklund, to earn a 78-64 victory over Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday in NSIC men's college basketball from the BSU Gymnasium.
 
The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Beavers, which improve to 9-11 overall, 6-10 NSIC. BSU suffered three overtime and a one-point loss during the streak, while also snapping a three-game losing skid to SMSU.
 
SMSU, which earned a victory on Friday night at Minnesota Crookston, drops to 7-15 overall, 4-12 NSIC. Nick Dufaul led the Mustangs on Saturday night with 27 points on 10 of 19 shooting with a career-high seven 3-pointers. Kenny Byers added 17 points, while Jake Phipps pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds for the Mustangs.
 
BSU finished the game shooting 52 percent (25 of 48) from the field and held a 31-28 rebound advantage.
 
Following Saturday's barrage of 3-pointers by BSU, Mustang opponents have combined to make 60 3-pointers in the last five games, while SMSU has made 30 combined 3-pointers during that span.
 
The teams played a tight first 11 minutes with Cliff McCray hitting a jumper for SMSU to tie the game at 20 with 8:30 remaining in the first half. BSU answered with six straight points to spark a 21-9 run to close the half and build a 41-29 halftime edge. The Beavers made nine of 15 3-pointers in the half, while the Mustangs made three 3-pointers.
 
BSU scored the first field goal of the second half and the lead never dipped below double digits for the remainder of the game.
 
Bjorklund led the Beavers with 23 points, while Nick Wagner added 18 points with a pair of 3-pointers.
 
Southwest Minnesota State returns home next weekend with two more games versus NSIC North Division foes. On Friday, Feb. 7, SMSU will face MSU Moorhead at 7:30 p.m., while on Saturday, Feb. 8, the Mustangs take on Northern State for the annual "Hawaiian Night" game with tip-off slated for 6 p.m.