Nov. 24, 2006

[box score]

BEMIDJI, Minn. (BSU Gymnasium) -- Bemidji State University junior forward Alex Smith (Miami, Fla.) recorded his first career double-double posting 12 points and 10 rebounds as BSU out scored Augustana College 34-31 in the second half, but it would not be enough as a poor shooting effort during the first 20 minutes put BSU in a hole it simply could not dig out of as it dropped the game 68-48.

In addition to Smith's career-highs of 12 points and 10 rebounds, Arron Evans (Jr., G, Minneapolis, Minn.) and Marques Ramos (Jr., G/F, Henderson, Nev.) added nine and eight points of the bench respectively while Ramos grabbed five boards.

Nick Olson and Eric Krogman each dropped in 13 points to pace the Viking offensive attack while Kenny Hartzell netted 11 to round out AC's trio of double-figure scorers. Krogman was the team's top man on the glass as he pulled down seven rebounds.

The Beavers were shaky out of the gates and slow to light their side of the scoreboard. BSU's first points of the game came at the 12:37 mark when Evans drained one of his team-best two three-pointers. Meanwhile visiting Augustana took a 13-3 lead.

The team's shooting woes continued finishing the first half down 37-14 after hitting just three of 22 field goal attempts (.136).

Despite being down early and facing its share of tough shots, Bemidji came out in the second half with something to prove. BSU worked for good shots, tightened its defensive clamps, forced turnovers and took advantage of a 20-7 free-throw differential to win the second half.

After falling behind by as many as 31 (60-29) during the first 10 minutes of the final stanza, the Beavers allowed just four field goals in the final 10 minutes and out scored the Vikings 19-8 during that span--including a 10-0 run. But time was not on the Beavers' side tonight. Just as the Beavers began to get things rolling in their favor, the final horn sounded.

Bemidji State finished the game 12-of-40 (.300) from the floor after recording its best shooting half of 2006-07 draining 9-of-18 attempts (.500) in the second. Augie was 23-of-45 (.418) including a 9-for-24 night from beyond the arc (.375)

Augustana held a slight edge on the glass, 34-31, but Smith and company held their own while BSU forced 20 turnovers and committed 19.

The Viking win pulls AC into a tie with BSU in the all-time series, 4-4, while Augie is now 2-1 in games played in Bemidji, Minn.

The Beavers (0-5) wrap up their current three-game homestand Nov. 28 when they host St. Cloud State University. The opening tip is set for 8:00 p.m. in the BSU Gymnasium. At halftime of that game, The BSU campus community will celebrate the success of the 2006 Beaver football team and send it off to its Dec. 2 Mineral Water Bowl game with a pep rally. In addition to introductions of the team an its award winners and a message from coach Jeff Tesch, the fans in attendance will be treated with performances from various BSU organizations and groups.

--bsu--