After Saturday's tense, buzzer-beating win over WIAC foe UW-Platteville, the Yellowjackets could have used a game where things came a little more easily.  On Wednesday, they got that.  Marcus Helland (Baldwin, Wis.) scored a game-high 25 points and the Yellowjackets cruised to an 81-65 win over the host Eagles from Northwestern College.

But it didn't start easy.  The 'Jackets fell behind early and didn't take the lead until there was under seven minutes to play in the first half, eventually building a nine-point cushion at halftime.  Helland led the charge, knocking down 20 points in the opening half as the Yellowjackets 55.9% from the field including 9-15 from three-point range.  Helland also had a team-high six rebounds in the first half.

In the second half, the Yellowjackets blew the game wide open, holding a double-digit lead for most of the final 20 minutes.  Dan Culy (Rice Lake, Wis.) and Jake Smith (Rhinelander, Wis.) led the way with nine points apiece after halftime.  For the game Smith scored 18 points and led the 'Jackets with nine rebounds.  Culy pumped in 15 points.  Dustin Ritchie (Superior, Wis.) had five assists and Culy four steals to lead the team.

Tim Gisler had 12 points and Brian Lecheler and Ellis Libby had ten each for Northwestern.