St. Cloud State
5-6,3-4NSIC
Bemidji State University
3-8,2-7NSIC
Men's basketball falls to Bemidji State 88-78
2/5/2021 11:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ST. CLOUD, MINN. - The St. Cloud State University men's basketball team didn't quite have the return to Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) North Division play Friday evening. The Huskies were hoping to solidify their place in the top-4 in the divisional standings with a win over Bemidji State University. Sadly, that wasn't in the cards for St. Cloud State, as it fell to its opponent 88-78 in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
The opening 20 minutes of play were a whirlwind, as Beavers tried to push the Huskies into fast pace basketball. At first, Bemidji State succeeded, as the visitors ran out to an early 19-10 lead over St. Cloud State. That's when Anthony Roberts (Chicago, Ill. / Oak Park) went to a whole 'nother level, as he ignited for 17 first half points in 20 minutes of play. It wasn't enough, though, to pull the Huskies within 10, as the Beavers walked into the locker room with a 47-34 halftime lead.
St. Cloud State quietly worked to close the gap in the second half, eventually pulling within four 65-61 with 9:26 remaining in regulation. A key player in the Huskies comeback: sophomore guard Caleb Donaldson (Bloomington, Ill. / Bloomington), who scored 21 of his team leading 23 points in the second half.
Unfortunately, the combined efforts of Donaldson, Roberts and the rest of the team wasn't enough to overcome the 13 points deficit, as St. Cloud State fell to Bemidji State by a final score of 88-78.
Donaldson ended as the team's leading scorer, with 23 points on 9-14 shooting, including a 5-6 mark from the charity stripe. Roberts finished the game with 22 points and eight rebounds, while Josh Tomasi (Melbourne, Australia / Western Colorado) recorded a double-double with 11 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds.
With the loss, the Huskies overall record falls to 5-6, and they are now 3-4 in NSIC North Division play. St. Cloud State will return to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday when it hosts the Beavers in the final game of the series.
