The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team used a huge first half to cruise to a 90-77 victory over Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn. this afternoon. The victory is a crucial one in the Bulldogs chances to make the NSIC tournament this season. UMD improves to 5-6 (4-6) NSIC.

Sophomore guard Jack Middleton put on a clinic in the first half of the ball game to get the Bulldogs rolling. Middleton would score 23 of his 24 points in the first half on 5-7 shooting from the field, 5-6 shooting from three point range and 8-8 shooting from the charity stripe. As a team UMD shot 14-25 (56.0%) from the field and 7-15 (46.7%) from beyond the arc, couple that with forcing 11 Bemidji State turnovers and the Bulldogs enjoyed a comfortable 50-31 lead going into the halftime break.

In the second half the Beavers made a couple runs at the Bulldog lead at one point bringing the lead to within just nine points but were never able to come all the way back on UMD, allowing them to cruise into a series split for the weekend.

Overall UMD shot 26-49 (53.1%) from the field, 11-22 (50%) from beyond the long line, they also grabbed 38 boards, and recorded six blocks. The Beavers would shoot 29-67 (43%) from the field, and 9-26 (35%) from the three point line.

Five Bulldogs would finish in double figures on the afternoon. Redshirt sophomore guard Drew Blair led the way with 25 points, two rebounds, and two steals. The aforementioned Middleton would finish with 24 points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Freshman forward Austin Andrews finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three assists en route to his third double-double of the season. Andrews counterpart freshman forward Charlie Katona finished with 14 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. Last but not least was freshman guard Joshua Brown who finished with 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

The Bulldogs will close out their 20-21 regular season campaign next weekend as they head to St. Cloud State to take on the Huskies on Feb. 19-20.