Feb 10, 2006

WAYNE, Neb. – [box score] The shooting touch was not there for the Bemidji State University men's basketball team Friday as it shot just 29 percent from the field in a 65-59 loss to Wayne State College at Rice Auditorium in Wayne, Neb. The performance marked the team's second-worst shooting performance in any single-game all season, percentage wise, as well as marking the second lowest production of points of 2005-06.

The Beavers were led by Alvin Muse (Sr., South Holland, Ill.) who netted 15 points on 5-of-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Derik Hollyfield added 14 points to round out BSU's double-digit scorers. Spencer Carter (Sr., F, Chicago, Ill) pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds while leading the team with four assists.

Bryce Caldwell paced the Wildcats from the backcourt hitting 6-of-10 threes for a game-best 20 points. He also added a pair of free-throws. Matt Rathje netted 18 points while Dallas Hodges chipped in 11 and grabbed team-high eight boards.

The Wildcats out shot the Beavers on the night 48 (20-42) to 29 percent (20-67), equaling BSU's 20-field goal output despite hoisting 25 few attempts, and dominated the glass for a 44-31 rebounding advantage.

BSU's shooting woes started form the outset. After hitting two of its first four shots to take a 5-0 lead--its largest of the game--just 2:07 into the first half, the Beavers hit just one of their next seven shots and clung to a two-point advantage (19-17) midway through the half.

The teams would battle over the lead during the final 10 minutes of the first. BSU twice took a four-point lead, but the teams would go into their locker rooms separated by just one point at the half, with BSU up 32-31.

The shooting difficulties continued for BSU in the second half. Muse recorded the team's first field goal of the half ending an 0-4 drought by the Bemidji State after nearly five minutes of play. Meanwhile, WSC piled up nine consecutive points to kick start a 13-2 run to virtually put the game away for the Wildcats with 15 minutes to go.

BSU would steadily whittle away at the WSC lead. Muse cut the Wildcat advantage to one point (60-59) with 65 seconds to play, but Wayne State had dug the hole to deep for the Beavers to escape on a cold shooting night as BSU was 0-for-4 in the game's final minute.

The loss ends a five-game winning streak over the Wildcats as BSU's road woes continue falling to 3-8 away from the BSU Gymnasium this season.

Bemidji State drops to 11-10 overall and 6-3 in NSIC. The team clings to the third spot in the NSIC standings, but lost a game to the co-leaders; Winona State University and Northern State University as both teams garnered victories Friday night to improve to 8-1 in conference play.

The Beavers next travel to Marshall, Minn. to face Southwest Minnesota State, which after a win over Minnesota-Crookston Friday, is just one game behind BSU as the race to host a first-round NSIC Tournament game tightens with just five games left in the conference season. Saturday's game between the Beavers and the Mustangs is set for an 8 p.m. tip-off at the R/A Facility.