BEMIDJI USES 3-POINT ONSLAUGHT TO EDGE WOLVES AT HOME

Feb. 15, 2002

Nothing easy -- BSU's defense held Northern's Sundance Wicks -- who is ranked third nationally in 3-point field goal percentage (50.8 percent) -- to just three attempts from downtown Friday night. Wicks went 2-of-3.

Bemidji State's first 15 points all came off 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the game, serving as a harbinger of what Northern State was in for all night in BSU's 79-76 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference victory in Aberdeen Friday night.

The Beavers (14-9 overall, 11-4 NSIC) kept hope alive for a conference championship by hitting 14-of-29 3-pointers to upset Northern (17-6 overall, 12-4 NSIC), which came into the game in sole possession of first place. Northern will face another key conference test tomorrow night when Minnesota-Duluth (14-9 overall, 12-3 NSIC) comes to town.

After BSU sprinted to a 17-8 lead out of the gates, Northern answered and methodically earned the lead back at halftime, 47-41.

NSU built its lead to as many as 10 points early in the second half, but Bemidji State answered with a 13-3 run from that point to tie the score at 59-59 with just over 10 minutes remaining. After exchanging leads for the next few minutes, BSU took the lead for good with over six minutes remaining and built it to as many as seven points. Northern's final run was too little, too late, as Terrance Watkins' two clutch free-throws gave the Beavers a three-point edge with 14 seconds remaining.

NSU's final three-point attempt to force overtime missed its mark, and the Beavers' bench stormed the floor in celebration after knocking off the NSIC's top two teams on the road in the last two weeks. BSU upset UMD last weekend in Duluth.

Senior post Brad Hansen (Tea) led NSU with 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Junior forward Sundance Wicks (Gillette, Wyo.) put up 12 points to go with nine boards and four assists, while senior guard Drew Gruver (Scott City, Kan.) rounded out NSU's double digit scorers with 15 points. BSU post John Swaja led the Beavers with 18 points and caused NSU matchup problems by leaving the paint and hitting four 3-pointers on the night.