MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Minnesota State Moorhead men's basketball is set for a pair of critical divisional matchups this week to conclude the 2025-26 regular season. The Dragons host Bemidji State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before taking to the road to play Minnesota Duluth on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Live video and stats will be available at msumdragons.com. Fans can watch Thursday's contest on the Dragon Digital Network with Steve d'Eustachio on play-by-play and Jared Bledsoe on commentary. Saturday's game can also be listened to on AM 1100/FM 92.3 with Jace Denman and 'Big Game' James McCarty on the call.

Matchup History...MSUM extended its winning streak over Bemidji State to five games back on December 4. The Dragons handled the Beavers 90-60 behind a double-double from Rodrick Payne. MSUM has won 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Beavers dating back to the 2019-20 season. Since 2008-09, Moorhead holds a 28-7 record against the Beavers. The Dragons hold the advantage in the all-time series as well, winning 111 games to BSU's 97. The program's played their first game against one another on February 17, 1928 when the then-Moorhead Teacher's College topped the Beavers, 33-22. Moorhead also holds the most recent victory in their series with the Bulldogs, capturing a 92-91 overtime win after trailing by 21 points in the first half. Isa El-Amin hit the clutch shot in overtime, finishing the game with 28 points while Levi Birkholz scored 19 for the Dragons. MSUM has won four of the last five meetings against the Bulldogs.

Gerads Gets Aggressive...Sophomore guard Tysen Gerads enjoyed a strong performance off the bench for MSUM against UMary. Gerads scored 13 points, almost all of which came on aggressive drives to the basket. The Avon, Minn., native shot five of seven from the floor in the Dragon victory. Gerads was also pesky on defense, earning four steals. In total, Gerads had five steals across two games for MSUM last week. 

El-Amin Keeping Pace...Freshman point guard Isa El-Amin enjoyed another solid week of scoring for the Dragons across two games. El-Amin scored a team-high 18 points on 50 percent shooting against UMary on Thursday. The Minnetonka, Minn., native would net another team-high 14 points on 45.4 percent shooting against Minot State. El-Amin has scored 10 or more points in 10 straight games entering Thursday's contest against Bemidji State. The freshman leads MSUM in total points, assists and steals so far this season. 

Rod's Wave...Senior post Rodrick Payne was a consistent offensive threat for Moorhead last week. Payne averaged 11 points per game while shooting a staggering 75 percent from the field, including a made three-pointer. So far this season, Payne has scored in double figures 10 different times. 

Ed's Excellent Adventure...Senior Eddie Beeninga continues to see solid results as he buttons up his Dragon career. Beeninga averaged seven points per game for MSUM last week, including an 11-point showing against Minot State on Saturday. The Maple Grove, Minn., native nailed four three-pointers on the week. Since entering the starting lineup on January 31, Beeninga is averaging 7.4 points per game with 11 made three-pointers. 

Improving On D...Moorhead has seen its defense come alive late in the season. Over the last four games, the Dragons have allowed an average of 75 points per game, including holding UMary to 69 points on Thursday. That mark is below MSUM's season average of 82.2 points per game. 

Jason Kemp is in his first season as MSUM's head men's basketball coach.

Scouting The Opposition

Bemidji State
2025 Record: 8-17 (5-15 NSIC)
2024 Record: 10-19 (7-15 NSIC)
Head Coach: Mike Boschee (14th Season)
Nickname: Beavers
Top Beaver: John Pecarich (20.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 43.4 FG%)

Minnesota Duluth
2025 Record: 15-11 (11-9 NSIC)
2024 Record: 20-9 (15-7 NSIC)
Head Coach: Justin Wieck (8th Season)
Nickname: Bulldogs
Top Bulldog: Kole Hanson (15.1 PPG, 2 RPG, 45.3 FG%)