Men’s Basketball Wins 98-95 Thriller Over Bemidji State

Saturday, December 3

St. Cloud, Minn.

6 p.m.

St. Cloud State

Bemidji State University

Gage Davis

12/3/2016 9:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Redshirt sophomore Gage Davis totaled 27 points for the second straight game to help lead the St. Cloud State men's basketball team (5-5, 2-0 NSIC) to a thrilling 98-95 victory over Bemidji State (3-4, 1-1 NSIC) on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Halenbeck Hall.

Besides his 27 points, Davis also pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds to become the first SCSU player in nearly four years to record more than 15 rebounds in a game (Mike Rostampour – 15 rebounds – MSU Moorhead – 1/21/12). He also had a pair of assists and a steal. Fellow redshirt sophomore Kurt Hall earned his second double-double of the season and his second in the last three games with a career-high of 23 points and 11 rebounds. Seven of Hall's 11 rebounds came on the offensive glass. Senior Scottie Stone picked up 19 points. Senior Mark Hall had 16 points and led the team with four assists plus two steals. Sophomore Brindley Theisen had nine points and three rebounds. Senior Nebojsa Stanojevic was a factor with five offensive rebounds and three blocks.

The Beavers put five players in double figures led by Sharif Black's 29 points. Jai'Vionne Green had 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. Peyton Dibble put up 14 points and four rebounds while Ben Best and Christian Pekarek both came up with 10 points.

The Huskies were outshot by BSU from the field (50 percent to 44.6 percent), three-point range (45.5 percent to 32.3 percent) and the free throw line (86.2 percent to 81.5 percent). SCSU did hold a sizable lead in rebounding, 45-30, including a 21-7 lead on the offensive glass.

The game featured nine tied scores and eight lead changes. SCSU held a 47-42 lead at the half and at one point in the second half were able to extend the lead to 10 points, 54-44, on made three from Mark Hall, only to see BSU go on a 12-2 run to tie the score at 56 all. BSU kept the run going and took a five-point lead, 69-64, on a Black made free throw with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game (10:05). An 8-3 SCSU run tied the score at 72 all. Neither team was able to open up more than a three-point lead the rest of the game. The ninth and final tie of the game, 90-90, came on a made three from Theisen with 2:55 remaining in the contest. After a made free throw from Best gave BSU the advantage, Kurt Hall hit a jumper to give SCSU the lead back, 92-91. A Mark Hall jumper followed a defensive stop to give the Huskies a 94-91 lead. The deficit was cut to one-point again, 94-93, on a Green jumper with 50 seconds remaining in the game. Both teams exchanged empty possessions before Davis was fouled with six seconds remaining and knocked down both of his free throws to again give SCSU a three-point advantage, 96-93. Black was then fouled on the ensuing possession and hit two free throws to again get the Beavers within a point. With just two second remaining Davis was fouled and hit both his free throws to ice the 98-95 victory.

Next, the Huskies gets on the road and plays a pair of NSIC teams. SCSU takes on Sioux Falls on Friday, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m. and then plays against Southwest Minnesota on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m.

Notes
- Gage Davis' 27 points was the second time this weekend that he has scored a team-high 27 points.
- His 27 points in this one marked his ninth straight game and 22nd contest overall the last two seasons leading the team in scoring.
- The double-double was Davis' second of the weekend, fourth of the season and 14th over the last two seasons.
- Over the last six games, Davis is shooting 52-for-93 from the field (55.9 percent).
- Besides scoring 54 points on the weekend in the two conference wins, Davis also had 30 rebounds and 10 assists.
- Scottie Stone's 19 points were his most points since he scored 22 against Pittsburg State (11/12).
- He now scored in double figures in nine of the 10 games this season and in 25 of his last 26 games overall.
- Kurt Hall's 23 points marked his third straight double digit performance.
- He tied his career-high with 11 rebounds.
- His double-double was his second of the season.
- Kurt Hall and Gage Davis are the first set of SCSU teammates with double-doubles in the same game since Davis and Scottie Stone both had double-doubles against Bemidji State last season (12/14/15)
- Mark Hall's 16 points was his fourth double figure scoring performances in the last five games.
- Jon Averkamp missed the contest and was not in the starting lineup for the first time this season as SCSU started a different lineup for the first time in 10 games.
- The Huskies' 22 made and 27 attempts from the free throw line were season-highs.
- The team's 45 rebounds tied the season high against Missouri Southern State (11/11).
- The 95 points allowed to Bemidji State were a season-high for the program and the most points allowed in a win since allowing 95 to North Dakota State in also a 98-95 victory during the 1998-99 campaign.