Dec. 5, 2003

[box score]

FARGO, N.D. -- Bemidji State men’s basketball never led tonight against the North Dakota State Bison as it fell 81-68 tonight at the Bison Sports Arena.

The Beavers fall to 4-4 on the year while NDSU jumps to 1-5.

The Beavers got into early foul trouble, picking up their seventh team foul at the 12:00 minute mark of the first. NDSU was able to connect on free throws and hit some shots, grabbing a 22-10 lead with 11:04 remaining. A three-pointer by freshman Martez Young ended a 12-0 Bison run.

With the score 24-10, BSU went on a patented 17-9 spurt with three three-pointers in the mix. The guests hung close heading into the locker-room despite shooting 41 percent (11-of-27) in the first 20 minutes. The score stood 30-38.

Senior forward Charles Hanks led the Beaver scoring with eight points while CoCo Cofield tallied 12 for the Bison. NDSU gained a 22-11 advantage on the boards.

In the second half, BSU hit a quick three to cut the deficit to five at 33-38. It could not get any closer for the majority of the frame. Five straight points by Hanks put the score at 51-57 but NDSU again responded, increasing their lead to double digits under seven minutes left.

The Beavers made a charge, knocking down two straight from downtown, forcing NDSU into a time-out with 4:28 remaining. The Bison clung to a six-point edge (72-66) at that point.

BSU would get no closer as the hosts made four-of-four free throws under three minutes to seal the victory. Meanwhile, the Beavers were just two-of-seven from the charity stripe during that stretch.

For the game, BSU went 26-of-61 from the floor (.426) with nine of those field goals being of the three-point variety. NDSU went for 48 percent (27-of-56) and held a 38-31 rebounding edge. The Bison out-scored the Beavers 20-seven from the free throw line.

Hanks finished with a team-high 16 points, his seventh straight effort of 10 or more points. He added seven rebounds, despite battling the flu. Junior Sherwin Johnson added 13 points for the Beavers.

NDSU was paced by the 19 points from leading scorer Cofield on five-of-13 shooting.

BSU visits St. Cloud State next for a 6:00 p.m. tilt on Sunday, Dec. 7. The Beavers will attempts to snap an eight-game skid against the Huskies.


NOTE: This game marked the 20th meeting between the two clubs with NDSU improving to 13-7 all-time; the Bison have won 12 straight with the last BSU win coming during the 1962-63 season...The Beavers have been out-scored all eight games this season from the free throw line for a total of 92-186 points...Adam Daleyhas hit at least one three-pointer in the last 26 games after connecting on one tonight...As a team, the Beavers have connected from long range in the last 182 games...Coming into tonight’s match, NDSU only averaged 60.8 points per game compared to the 88.6 by BSU...This is the first game of the season Charles Hanks was not in the starting line-up; with his 16 points, Hanks stands 27 away from breaking into the school’s Top 10 Career List...The 30 BSU first-half points is the lowest mark since it totaled 26 against Southwest Minnesota State, Dec. 29, 2002...Coach Jeff Guiot drops to 1-8 against North Central Conference schools.