Bemidji State University suffered its second loss to start the 2016-17 season Saturday night, as University of Central Missouri pulled away at the beginning of each half for an 80-65 win at the MIAA/NSIC Classic in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. The Mules (2-0) used runs of 11-0 to start the first half and 12-6 in the second half to pull away from the Beavers (0-2).

Freshman guard Jai’Vionne Green snapped the Mules’ 11-0 run to begin the game and began a comeback to within one point of UCM in the first half. The Beavers went on their own 10-2 run starting with eight minutes remaining in the half. Junior guard Sharif Black scored six of his 18 points during the run, which brought the Beavers down 27-26 with just under three minutes in the first half. BSU missed three shots to finish the half and head to the locker room facing a 33-26 deficit.

Although senior forward Will Harvey found senior forward Ben Best for the opening bucket of the second half, Central Missouri made four consecutive 3-pointers on a 12-4 run to take a 45-32 lead. The Beavers were able to play back to within eight points, but a final run by the Mules put a seal on the game. UCM scored 14 of the game’s next 17 points, forcing BSU to five missed field goals and one turnover during the stretch.

Black’s team-high 18 points was followed by Green with 15 and freshman guard Peyton Dibble with 10. Black also paced BSU on the boards with eight rebounds and added two assists.

Bemidji State remains on the road Thursday, Nov. 17 before the home opener Friday, Nov. 18 at BSU Gymnasium. BSU will first travel to St. Paul, Minn., to face Concordia University-St. Paul in a non-conference meeting before hosting Northland College.