Wayne State mustered just 35 percent shooting in the second half (12-34) while Bemidji State connected on 56 percent second half shooting (14-25) as the host Beavers downed the Wildcats 76-68 in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball Friday evening at Bemidji, Minnesota.  BSU is now 6-7 overall and 3-4 in the league while Wayne State slips to 8-6 and 2-6 in league action.
            The first half was close throughout with neither team holding a lead of more than four points featuring 10 lead changes and four ties.
            Wayne State's four-point lead came on a Kai Smith 3-point field goal with 11:40 to play in the first half.  Bemidji State held a pair of four-point leads in the opening half with the final one coming at at 30-26 with 3:49 remaining in the half.
            Thanks to senior guard Jay Saunders closing the half with a 3-pointer and jump shot, the 'Cats closed the opening half with a 33-32 lead.
            Bemidji State began the second half scoring the first six points for a 38-33 advantage and held the lead until the midway point of the half.  Back-to-back baskets from freshman forward Matt Noll gave WSC a 51-48 lead with 9:58 to play in the game.
            Moments later Noll made 1 of 2 free throws to put the 'Cats ahead 52-50 at the 9:18 mark, but that was Wayne State's final lead of the night.
            WSC scored just two points over the next 4:30 as the Beavers built a 62-54 lead.
            The 'Cats closed the gap to three on a pair of Noll charity tosses at 64-61 with 3:10 remaining, but that's as close as WSC would get as the Beavers closed with a 76-68 victory.
            Noll scored 18 points to lead Wayne State in scoring followed by Smith with 17.  Senior forward Noah Erickson scored a season-high 11 points with JJ Ferrin adding 10.
            Jareen Mayo poured in a game-high 24 points for Bemidji State with John Sutherland adding 19. 
            Bemidji State shot 49 percent from the field making 27 of 55 shots.  BSU was 6 of 20 behind the arc and 16 for 22 at the free throw line.
            BSU held a sizeable 39-28 advantage in rebounds over WSC despite Noll's six caroms.
            JJ Ferrin led WSC in assists and steals with four each. 
            Wayne State was 25 of 62 from the field for 40.3 percent, including 8 for 29 from the 3-point line.  The 'Cats hit 10 of 17 free throws in the contest.