Senior forward Ben Best led the charge of the young Bemidji State University men’s basketball program versus University of Northern Iowa Friday night, as the Beavers fell in the season-opening exhibition, 71-48. Best finished with a team-high 10 points and five rebounds while the squad got in its first action of the 2016-17 season from the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Bemidji State jumped out to an early 9-3 lead in the game behind four of Best’s points and baskets from newcomers Peyton Dibble and Jai’Vionne Green. The Beavers held their last lead at 13-11 with just over 11 minutes to go in the first half. Green finished his first game as a Beaver with eight points, six coming from behind the arc.

Bemidji State plays its final exhibition game of the season Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. against University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Listen to the game Thursday on Talk Radio 1360 KKBJ or online at beaverradionetwork.com.