SIOUX FALLS – With a closing run of 33-12, the University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball Team (9-7, 5-5 NSIC) rallied past Bemidji State (6-10, 3-9 NSIC) on Friday (Jan. 21) at the Stewart Center.

The Cougars, which had four players score in double-digits, improved to 9-7 overall and sit 5-5 in the NSIC, with this win moving them into fifth place in the South Division. USF, which will host Minnesota Crookston (6-12, 3-9 NSIC) at 5:30 pm on Saturday also at the Stewart Center. The victory also drew USF within a half-game of fourth place in the NSIC South (Winona State, 6-5).

USF, which now hold a 6-4 series lead over BSU in NSIC play, trailed 53-39 with 13:03 to play. Then, sparked by Cedric Johnson, who had nine of his 12 points in the second half, USF put together their closing run of 33-12.

"First of all, I am really happy with our win tonight against a good Bemidji State team," said USF Head Coach Chris Johnson, who now has 249 career wins including 233 at USF. "I thought we did a better job of guarding without fouling. I was really happy with our grit and honestly, I feel that we gutted one out tonight. We got a spark from Noah (Puetz) in the first half and Cedric (Johnson) in the second half. We made some big plays down the stretch which helped us earn this win," he said.

USF, which has won 3-of-4, was led by Matt Cartwright, who was one of four USF players in double-digits. Cartwright scored 18 points and hit a trio of three-pointers while grabbing three rebounds and blocking a shot. He now has 49 double-digit scoring game in his career with 12 this season at USF. The senior from Sioux Falls also moved past 1,100 career points (1,103).  Johnson had 12 points as he scored in double-digits for the second time at USF and 10^th in his career. He was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field while collecting five rebounds, two steals, an assist and blocked shot in 19 minutes.

Also reaching double-digits for the second time at USF was freshman guard Noah Puetz, who had 10 points with a career-best seven rebounds and hit a pair of triples. Junior guard Chase Grinde added 10 points, two rebounds and two steals. Grinde, who now has 45 career double-digit scoring games, moving past 900 career points (908).  In addition, sophomore guard Jack Thompson had nine points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal.

For the night, USF hit on 25-of-65 shots from the field for 38.5 percent and hit on 7-of-24 from three-point range for 29.2 percent. The Cougars didn't miss a foul shot and had a 15-to-3 margin in made free throws, a margin which proved critical in their win. While USF was outscored, 36-30, in the paint, the Cougars had a 22-to-8 margin in second chance points as they held a 34-to-33 rebound edge. USF also had a 21-to-12 margin in points off turnovers as they forced 16 by BSU while committing just nine. USF had eight steals and three blocks as their defense played a critical role.

BSU, which held seven leads and led for the final time at 61-59 with 3:28 to play, hit on 28-of-58 field goals for 48.3 percent but could make just 6-of-25 from three-point range for 24 percent. Mohammed Kone led BSU with 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. John Sutherland added 15 points and Travis Bianco had 13.

Scoring Summary –
In the opening half, USF was able to take a 32-31 lead to the break by converting 5-of-14 shots from three-point range for 35.7 percent. The Cougars made just 11-of-32 overall for 34.4 percent but held a 16-15 rebound edge and had six steals to force nine turnovers by BSU. The Beavers, which had 10 points from Kone, was 14-of-26 from the field but just 2-of-10 from three-point range and hit just 1-of-2 free throws.

BSU jumped out to a 7-3 lead at the 17-minute mark as Bianco scored five points including a knocking in a triple. BSU pushed the lead out to 15-9 as the Cougars hit just 3-of-13 for 23.1 percent to open the game. USF responded with six straight points to pull within 17-15 at the 9:16 mark on a three from Johnson. Five straight points Puetz helped USF draw even at 23 at the 4:47 mark. Later, Cartwright's second three of the game tied the game at 28 and his late basket provided USF with a 32-31 lead. Cartwright led USF with 13 points in the first half. 

In the second half, USF had a 40-to-34 advantage as they made 14-of-33 shots for 42.4 percent and converted 10-of-10 foul shots. BSU was 14-of-32 for 43.8 percent and was 4-of-15 from three-point range. IN the final 20 minutes both teams had 18 rebounds but USF had just two turnovers while BSU made seven.

Out of the break, BSU had a 9-2 run to grab a 40-34 lead over the Cougars with 16:04 to play.  Then BSU had a 6-0 run for a 12-point lead at 46-34. USF responded with five straight points but BSU came back with five straight for a 53-39 lead at the 13:03 mark.

Down 53-39, USF turned the game around piece by piece. First, Puetz's basket cut the deficit to 10 at 56-45. Grinde hit a pair of foul shots with 7:50 to play as USF trailed just 56-51. After a lay-up from Johnson, the Cougars were within one at 56-55. Then, Grinde's hook shot forged a tie with 6:26 on the clock.

After USF led 59-57 on a Johnson basket, BSU scored four straight for a 61-59 advantage. It would be their final lead of the game. USF's Marko Coudreau grabbed an offensive board and his put back tied the game at 61 with 3:28 on the block.   

Then, USF took control as Grinde knocked in two free throws with 1:39 to play for a 65-63 lead. Thompson followed with a driving lay-up and with the "and 1" gave the Cougars a 68-63 advantage and just 37 seconds to play.

After stopping the Beavers, USF turned to Thompson again, who was fouled and converted two foul shots as the Cougars pushed the lead to 70-63 with 17 seconds to play. BSU scored one more basket but time had run out as USF picked up an important league win.