Bemidji Lumberjacks Visit Fergus Falls Otters Saturday at Roosevelt Gym

Bemidji pulled away after an early scare and held off a late Fergus Falls rally to win 85-75 at Roosevelt Gym on Jan. 24. The Lumberjacks stretched a midgame surge into a 47-32 halftime lead and, despite the Otters outscoring them 43-38 in the second half, maintained enough cushion to finish with a two-possession margin.

Fergus Falls opened the game with a 13-5 advantage before Bemidji answered with a decisive 22-2 run that flipped the momentum. Bemidji’s balanced attack featured Jaxon Boschee with 24 points, including four 3-pointers and a perfect 6-for-6 night at the free-throw line. Rhys Sneide added 21 points and Jayden Bondy finished with 10 for the Lumberjacks. Senior forward Austin Riewer recorded a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double, reaching double figures in both categories by halftime.

For the Otters, Jacob Jenc led all scorers with 26 points and nine rebounds, scoring 18 after halftime and going 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. Nolan Felstol drilled six 3-pointers on his way to 24 points, and Micah Johnson contributed 10 points, six rebounds and six assists as Fergus Falls battled back late but could not complete the comeback. The official box score shows Bemidji 47-38 by half totals and Fergus Falls 32-43 for the second half.

The result matters for both programs heading into the stretch run. Bemidji’s win pushed the Lumberjacks to a stronger record and reinforced the depth of their rotation, with multiple players contributing across scoring and rebounding categories. Fergus Falls suffered a setback in a game where perimeter defense and late possessions proved decisive; the Otters closed the scoring gap but left points on the floor that could have changed the outcome.

Local implications extend beyond a single game. Bemidji’s ability to convert from long range and at the free-throw line signals a team sharpening its fundamentals as the schedule ramps up. For Fergus Falls, the performance underlines areas to address in the Central Lakes Conference run - defending the arc, controlling the boards against physical opponents, and finishing possessions in the final minutes.

The teams move on quickly: Bemidji has a weekend assignment to keep its momentum, while Fergus Falls will return to conference play with an eye on tightening rotations and correcting late-game execution. For fans in Otter Tail County, Saturday’s contest offered a clear snapshot of who is finding form now and who must make adjustments before postseason seeding and league play intensify.