BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead men's basketball team defeated Bemidji State University 100-97 in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference nail biter on Saturday night.
MSUM improves to 7-4 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC, while BSU drops to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC.
Freshman guard Gavin Baumgartner had a career-high 28 points to lead the team. Freshman guard Siman Sem also posted a career-high with 19 points, and senior guard Travaun Coad had 17 points. Senior forward Addison Park and Baumgartner each had five rebounds, while Baumgartner had six to lead the team. Freshman guard Bryce Irsfeld had a team-high five assists to go along with 10 points.
MSUM shot 61.0 percent (36-of-59) from the field while BSU shot 55.2 percent (37-of-67). MSUM was 16-of-18 from the free throw line.
The Dragons opened the game by going up 7-0 thanks to four points from Baumgartner and a three-pointer from Sem. A three-pointer from Baumgartner gave MSUM at 29-17 lead at the 9:24 mark. A layup from junior guard Johnny Beeninga gave the Dragons their largest lead of the night at 35-20, but the Beavers would score 14 of the next 18 points to narrow MSUM's lead to 39-34. After an MSUM timeout, the Dragons would go on a scoring tear in the final four minutes of the first half and led 50-38 going into intermission. Sem contributed seven points in the late run for the Dragons.
Sem and Baumgartner combined for 32 points in the first half.
The Dragons held the lead throughout the second half, but the Beavers pulled within striking range at 95-92 with :47 remaining causing an MSUM timeout. Sem made two free-throws to give MSUM a 97-92 lead with :30 remaining. BSU sunk a three-pointer to force another MSUM timeout, but two more made free-throws from Baumgartner gave the Dragons a 99-95 edge with :17 on the clock. The Beavers continued to fight back and brought the score to 99-97, but a Coad free-throw sealed the deal as MSUM held on for a 100-97 victory.
MSUM is back at home next week as they face U-Mary on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Minot State on Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m.
Steve d'Eustachio Stat of the Game: The Dragons have now won six straight games on this date since a 73-65 setback at Minnesota Crookston in 2001.
