Box Score
BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team cut a 17-point deficit to two points in the final minutes but came up short against Bemidji State on Friday night, losing to the Beavers, 77-71 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action in Bemidji, Minn.

MSUM fell to 11-4 overall and 7-4 in the NSIC with the loss, while Bemidji State improved to 11-4 overall and 8-3 in the NSIC.

Senior guard Tarell Clark had a good all-around game for MSUM, recording a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. He also added a game-high three steals and two assists. Junior guard Malik Wood had a career-high 16 points along with three assists, while junior guard Prescott Williams added 14 points and three steals.

MSUM shot 41.8 percent (28-of-67) from the field but was only 2-of-21 (9.5 percent) from three-point range in the contest. Bemidji State shot 53.6 percent (30-of-56) for the game. The Dragons had a 40-33 edge in rebounds in the contest.

The Dragons were down 37-20 in the first half and by 12 at halftime. They faced a 57-40 deficit with 11:56 left but outscored Bemidji State 27-12 over the next 10 minutes to climb within 69-67 with 1:50 left in the contest. Wood and Clark sparked the run with nine points each, while Williams added seven.

MSUM was within two points on three separate occasions in the final 1:50 but was unable to close the gap further as each time, Bemidji State had an answer.

A Clark layup with 22 seconds left brought MSUM within 73-71 but senior Maxie Rosenbloom hit a pair of free throws to put Bemidji State up 75-71 with 21 seconds left.  MSUM had two opportunities – on the same possession – to get closer but missed both shots and Rosenbloom hit two more free throws to push the final score to 77-71.

The Dragons were down 37-20 with 5:21 left in the first half but much like the game at Southwest Minnesota State, was able to cut the lead down to 12 with 44 seconds left after sophomore center Isaac Sevlie scored. MSUM was down 43-31 at halftime.

MSUM climbed within 11 early in the second half before Bemidji State extended the lead back to 17 with 11:56 left before the Dragons started their rally.

Sevlie added eight points and three rebounds in 12 minutes off the bench for MSUM.  Junior guard Jordan Riewer had six rebounds.

The Dragons wrap up the weekend at Minnesota Crookston on Saturday. Game time is 6 p.m. in Crookston, Minn.

Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: Prior to tonight's game, the previous four games in Bemidji between the Dragons and Beavers have either had two-point regulation decisions or had to be settled in overtime:
Bemidji St. 76 Dragons 75 OT (Jan. 25, 2013)
Dragons 84 Bemidji St. 77 OT (Feb. 11, 2012)
Dragons 60 Bemidji St. 58 (Dec. 3, 2010)
Dragons 73 Bemidji St. 71 (Dec. 4, 2009)