GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota men's basketball team had four players in double digits, as the Fighting Sioux beat Bemidji State 73-60 this afternoon at Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
"I thought we came out with great energy today," UND head coach Brian Jones said. "Our defense in the first half allowed us to get some easy baskets."
It was an even and consistent attack for UND, which took control of the game early in the first half. Tied 9-9 at the 16:35 mark, UND's Darius Joseph (Tacoma, Wash.), who led the Sioux with a game-high 13 points, hit two free throws. Senior Daniel Harkins (Portage, Wis.) drilled a 3-pointer on UND's next possesion and the Sioux led 14-9 with 16:16 remaining in the half.
The Fighting Sioux would not give up the lead from that point, as they continued with offensive and defensive pressure, growing to as many as 35-16 in the first half. Redshirt freshman Pat Mitchell (Des Moines, Iowa) had two blocks that led to four points - a pair of free throws from Travis Bledsoe (Minneapolis, Minn.) and Harkins - with 5:25 remaining. Mitchell ended with four blocks and 11 points.
The Sioux cruised for much of the second half, but were tested a number of times by Bemidji State. UND responded each time.
Bemidji State's Sergej Baskow cut the UND lead to 46-36 at the 16:17 mark of the second half, but sophomore Derek Benter (Crosby, N.D.) answered with a jumper in the paint. On UND's next possesion, junior Travis Mertens (Devils Lake, N.D.) buried a trey, pushing the lead back to 50-36. Mertens, who plays most of the time in the post, went 2-of-2 from beyond arc and ended with 12 points.
Near the end of the game, BSU's Brady Faribanks hit a 3-pointer to pull the Beavers within 64-56 with 2:11 remaining in the game, but Joseph answered with a lay-up in the paint.
"We held our composure when Bemidji State make a run in the second half," Jones said, "and we got some key stops late. Our guys did a great job of sharing the ball and playing unselfishly. We made strides today."
Harkins ended with 11 points, while Taylor Hall paced Bemidji State off the bench with 11 points.
UND returns to action Nov. 28-29 at the Wisconsin-Parkside Tournament in Kenosha, Wis. The Sioux will open the tourney on Nov. 28 against Illinois Tech at 5 p.m.
