After an exhibition game at Bemidji State University, the Yellowjacket men's basketball team hit the road for a long road trip to open the 2010-11 regular season at the University of Dubuque.  Each team held the lead for long stretches - Dubuque in the first half and Superior in the second half, but in the end the 'Jackets made their lead stand up, holding on for a 75-73 win at the Stoltz Sports Center.

The win marks the first time since 2005-06 that the Yellowjackets opened the season with a victory.

The Yellowjackets opened the scoring and held an early lead, but Dubuque bounced back and jumped ahead just 2:39 into the game.  The Spartans' lead would grow to as many as nine points and they would lead 41-35 at the half.  The Spartans would stay ahead until a Jake Smith (Rhinelander, Wis.) three-pointer gave the Yellowjackets the lead 5:36 into the second half.  The 'Jackets would then surge ahead, opening up a nine-point margin, before Dubuque rallied to close the gap to two points.  A three-pointer by Dubuque's Chris Frazier got it to that point with three seconds to play, but it was too little too late for Dubuque.

The Yellowjackets got better as the game went on, eventually shooting 55.3% from the floor, hitting 26 of 47 field goal attempts.  They were 6-15 (40%) from three-point range and 17-25 (68%) from the free-throw line.  Smith led all scorers with 27 points and also led the Yellowjackets with nine rebounds.  Dustin Ritchie (Superior, Wis.) and Greg Roeder (Mercer, Wis.) followed Smith with 13 and 10 points respectively.  Dan Culy (Rice Lake, Wis.) led the Yellowjackets with three assists.  The Yellowjackets held a 32-24 on the boards.

Matt Poirier, Mitch Michaelis, Chris Frazier, Dan Kushnir and Lee Piccineli all scored in double figures for Dubuque (0-1).