Despite a furious push in the final 10 minutes, the Bemidji State men's basketball team couldn't complete its comeback effort against St. Cloud State in the opening round of the NSIC Tournament.
John Sutherland transferred to Bemidji State after spending a season at Minnesota Duluth. Since then, he's developed into a star for the Beavers, earning multiple All-NSIC First Team nods along the way.
Jack Thompson sent Sioux Falls on to the second round of the NSIC Tournament with a coast-to-coast buzzer-beater that lifted USF to a 68-66 win over Bemidji State.
Mohamed Kone scored seven points in the final two minutes -- and 29 for the game -- as Bemidji State fending off a St. Cloud State rally and picked up a road victory.
鈥淭he flag, to me, doesn鈥檛 represent the freedom that us colored people get,鈥� said Mohamed Kone, a Black member of the Bemidji State men's basketball team.
BSU had four scorers in double figures. That included 13 apiece from Thompson and Tyler Behrendt, plus 11 from Nick Wagner and a career-high 10 from Dalton Albrecht.
With Minnesota Duluth idle this weekend due to COVID-19 protocols, Bemidji State now holds sole possession of first place in the NSIC North Division standings.
鈥�(This league) is just some people getting a chance to add a little something to our winter to follow the game or follow the conference and learn more about it," creator Steve Bruce said.
