The Yellowjacket men's basketball team remained perfect early in the 2010-11 season, winning a pair of games at home as part of the Merrill Thompson Tip-Off Weekend, which was sponsored by the National Bank of Commerce.  On Friday, the Yellowjackets blasted an overmatched Macalester club, then returned to the court to squeak out a win over Gustavus, improving to 3-0 on the season.

On Tuesday the Yellowjackets won their game over Dubuque by two, and then had a 19-point cushion at the final buzzer on Friday.  Saturday's game more closely resembled the former, as the see-saw second half saw the Yellowjackets climb ahead in the final minute.

With the score tied at 68-68, Ben Aalfs (Hutchinson, Minn.) drained a three-pointer with two seconds left on the clock, providing the winning margin.

Helland was a perfect shooter from the field, going 4-4, including 3-3 from three-point range, scoring a team-leading 11 first half points as the Yellowjackets built a 40-26 lead at the half.  The Gusties surged in the second half, taking their first lead on a James Hill three-pointer with 6:12 remaining, making it 57-56.  The final six minutes featured three lead changes.  Each team hit free throws in the final minute, tying the game 68-68 and setting the stage for Aalfs' heroics.

Jake Smith (Rhinelander, Wis.) finished the game with a team-leading 19 points and also had seven rebounds.  Marcus Helland (Baldwin, Wis.) dropped in 17 points for the second straight game. 

Phil Wirtjes and Seth Anderson had 16 points apiece to lead the Gusties.