Jan. 2, 2004

[box score]

ST. PAUL, MINN. -- The Bemidji State men’s basketball team shook off its cobwebs as it held on for a 87-83 victory over Concordia-St. Paul in the league opener for both clubs. The Beavers had not played since a 73-64 loss at North Dakota, Dec. 14.

The Beavers, which won its first NSIC road opener in six tries, moves to 6-6 on the season. Concordia-St. Paul drops to 2-10.

Senior guard Adam Daley led all players with a personal-high 28 points on eight-of-16 shooting, including five-of-11 from down-town. The Des Moines, Iowa native hit all six of his foul shots under 35 seconds remaining to help seal the win.

Junior point guard James Roberson came away with a school-best 13 assists, leading the way for a BSU team that recorded a season-high 24 dimes.

After a 47-36 lead at the half, the Beavers had to climb back by as many as seven at 52-59 with 12:10 remaining in the second frame. A three-pointer by Roberson capped a 26-16 run that put BSU up for good at 78-75 at the 1:45 mark.

A lay-up by C-SP’s Joel Peel brought the hosts to within a basket at 81-83 but had to foul with 24 seconds left.

The Beavers, which made nine-of-10 free throws in the second half, finished 32-of-65 (.492) from the field while the Golden Bears were 30-of-62 (.484). BSU got back to its long range game that it has been known for, hitting on 13-of-32 (.406). Also, the guests out-rebounded C-SP 39-34.

Senior Charles Hanks posted 14 points on seven-of-nine shooting. Junior Sherwin Johnson added 13 points and six rebounds while junior Amir Major grabbed a team-high seven boards.

The Golden Bears received 18 points from Peel and seven rebounds and 13 points from Ronnie West off the bench.

BSU puts a wrap to a season-long nine-game road swing with a 8:00 p.m. contest at Winona State tomorrow. The Warriors took down Minnesota Crookston, 89-76, tonight to improve to 7-5 overall.


NOTE: The Beavers have won eight straight in the overall series and hold a dominating 8-1 mark...The 13 assists by James Roberson broke the 11 assists accomplished by three players, the last to do it was Royce Bryan against Minnesota Crookston, Feb. 2, 2002...Adam Daley’s old personal high was 24 in the last meeting between these two programs, Feb. 23, 2003...BSU head coach Jeff Guiot improved to 5-0 all-time against Concordia-St. Paul...The 87 points is the most for a league opener since BSU went for 88 in the 88-84 win against Northern State, Jan. 5, 1994...The 24 assists marked the fourth time this season that the Beavers have gone for 20 or more assists...Charles Hanks has hit for double-figure point totals in all 12 games this season; he needs just six more points to move into the eight spot on the BSU career points list, he has 1,216; also, with four more rebounds, he will put his name in the BSU career rebounding top ten list, he stands with 450...The 13 treys pushes BSU’s total to six games of 10 or more in 2003-04.