The University of Minnesota Duluth men's basketball team earned its first win of 2026 in 89-77 fashion over Bemidji State University, propelled by a 26-point effort by Noah Paulson on the road.

Paulson led the day with 26 points, five rebounds (one offensive), and two blocks. He shot an impressive individual team high 78.6% (11-14) from the field and 75% (3-4) beyond the arc. Following behind was Jackson Fowlkes with 13 points, along with Mattie Thompson and Kole Hanson with 11 points each.

The first 10 minutes saw the Beavers hold off the Bulldogs on a 29-23 scoring effort, not allowing UMD to get a single lead in that time. It took until 7:59 remained in the opening half when Thompson put a layup in that pushed a 30-29 UMD  lead that capped off an answered seven points by the Bulldogs.

The remaining eight minutes saw the team push a dominant 20-10 scoring run that included a quick steal and three-pointer by Wyatt McBeth that helped widen the gap.

Entering the second half with a 50-39 lead, the Bulldogs picked up where they left off on a 15-13 scoring run in the first five minutes. The next six minutes saw the Beavers turn the tide slightly with a narrow 12-8 run over the Bulldogs to claw to a 73-64 deficit. The remaining nine minutes, UMD put BSU in the rear view mirror as Hanson, Peyton Rogers, Jackson Fowlkes, Nick Katona, and Caleb Siwek combined to outscore the Beavers 16-13 for a final score of 89-77.

Overall, the Bulldogs earned a team high in both three-point field goals attempted (32) and made (12) while shooting 37.5% beyond the arc. They also put up 49.2% (32-65) of shots from the field. The team dominated in both points in the paint (34-28) and points off turnovers (26-11). The Beavers narrowly out-rebounded the Bulldogs 30-27, with both Paulson and McBeth securing five each.

The Bulldogs return to Romano Gymnasium on Friday to face the University of Sioux Falls. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.