It was fitting the first points scored by the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team this season came on a nifty drive by Jason Bohannon, who fed Jon Leuer for a strong dunk.

That was good news for fans of the Badgers, who watched them struggle to create and finish shots with any consistency last season. It didn't matter that it came against NCAA Division II foe Bemidji State, which offered little resistance during UW's 90-54 victory in an exhibition game in front 17,230 Wednesday night at the Kohl Center.

What mattered is it showed progress, which is what these exhibition games are supposed to be all about.

"That was a big play right there to show how much more physical Jon has gotten and a lot of (other) guys we have also," Bohannon said.

Leuer led the Badgers with 15 points, five rebounds and two steals and Bohannon added 14 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals. They combined to make 11 of 16 shots and 4-of-7 3-pointers to lead a team that shot 52.4 percent overall (33-of-63) and 25 percent from 3-point range (5-of-20).

Just as notably, the Badgers also got 12 points each from sophomore guard Rob Wilson and redshirt freshman forward Ryan Evans, who added five blocks and two steals as he continued to impress with his energy and athleticism.

"It's so nice to look at a guy like Ryan, who never asked how many minutes he was going to get, never said, 'Are you going to start me?' '' UW coach Bo Ryan said. "All Ryan Evans ever said was he'd love a chance to play at Wisconsin, 'I think I can do that.' He's trying to do that. Coaching guys like that is so much fun, I just hope he keeps getting better."

Evans was part of a nine-man rotation that Ryan used in the first half and built a 46-22 halftime lead.

Leuer and fellow junior Keaton Nankivil started at the forward spots and junior Tim Jarmusz joined Bohannon and fellow senior Trevon Hughes as the starting guards. The four reserves used in the first half were Evans, fellow redshirt freshmen forward Jarred Berggren and Wilson and sophomore guard Jordan Taylor.

Wilson, who scored his points on drives, jumpers and offensive rebounds, said he's more comfortable this year.

"I look (to shoot) a lot more and I also let it come to me," Wilson said. "A lot of my points tonight were off second chances and just letting the game come to me and not trying to force things, like I found myself doing a lot last year."

Besides Evans and Wilson, the 6-10 Berggren also contributed with a team-high seven rebounds as well as seven points.

There were glitches like reach fouls and turnovers, including a particularly nasty stretch in the second half when the Badgers turned it over on three straight possessions.

But Ryan seemed satisfied with his team's outing, particularly with his first-half playing rotation led by his senior guards who combined for 13 assists against just four turnovers for the game.

Ryan said his seniors showed good court vision and were opportunistic.

"Not trying to make overplays, just trying to make the good plays. That's good," Ryan said. "We'll play tougher people as far as athletically on the ball and quickness and things like that. But you still have to play the game. You have to respect the game and play it. For the most part, I thought our guys did."

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