Nov 27, 2011
Yellowjackets 77, Finlandia 67
Box Score
The men's basketball team finished off a sweep of the UW-Platteville Thanksgiving Tournament on Sunday, following a 77-67 win over Finlandia University. It's the second time in nine days that the Yellowjackets have beaten the Lions, as they led for all but five seconds in this one.
The Lions took the first lead of the game just 19 seconds into the game, but five second later, a Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) layup tied the game at 2-2. Byrne hit another layup at 1:01, making it 4-2 and providing the Yellowjackets with a lead that they would never surrender. A Ben Aalfs (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) layup at 4:27 made it a 14-5 game, but the Lions came roaring back over the next four minutes, outscoring the Yellowjackets 10-2 to pull to within one at 16-15. The Yellowjackets blew the game open, going on an 18-2 run to build the lead to 16 at 33-17. The Yellowjackets would build the lead to as many as 17, and would ultimately go to the locker room leading 41-27.
In the second half, Chase Leskala made a layup 3:50 in to pull Finlandia to within nine, but Eric Effertz (Ladysmith, Wis./Ladysmith) hit a three-pointer to nudge the lead back into double figures. The lead would get back to as many as 14 points several times in the half - on an Effertz three-pointer at 6:11, a jumper by Byrne at 12:02 and on a pair of free throws by Dustin Ritchie (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) at 12:33. Finlandia would again claw their way back into a single-digit deficit in the final minute, but Ritchie would drain a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to cement the game and give the Yellowjackets the ten-point win.
Ritchie and Brendan Bauer (Eleva, Wis./Gilmanton) led the Yellowjackets with 16 points each. Byrne added 15 for the Yellowjackets, who shot 51.9% for the game. Bauer led the Yellowjackets with 11 rebounds, giving him his third double-double of the season. Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) had a team-high four assists Byrne had the only block for the Yellowjackets. Ritchie led the Yellowjackets with three steals, and the Yellowjackets as a team had eight steals in the game.
Keith Arnold had 16 points, while Anthony Grandberry and Jonathon Moore had 14 and 13 points respectively for Finlandia.
MVP: Davis was named the tournament MVP. Davis had 21 points, eight assists and three rebounds in the two Yellowjacket victories.
All-Tournament Team: Following the two Yellowjacket victories, Davis and Aalfs were named to the all-tournament team.
The Yellowjackets (4-2, 0-0 WIAC) will take on Northwestern College on Wednesday, November 30. The game is the second game of a double-header and will start at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard live locally on 91.3 FM KUWS. Matt Johnson will have the call. The game can also be viewed live online through the iFan Sports Network, available at www.ifan.tv with Don Leighton handling the play-by-play.
Box Score
The men's basketball team finished off a sweep of the UW-Platteville Thanksgiving Tournament on Sunday, following a 77-67 win over Finlandia University. It's the second time in nine days that the Yellowjackets have beaten the Lions, as they led for all but five seconds in this one.
The Lions took the first lead of the game just 19 seconds into the game, but five second later, a Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) layup tied the game at 2-2. Byrne hit another layup at 1:01, making it 4-2 and providing the Yellowjackets with a lead that they would never surrender. A Ben Aalfs (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) layup at 4:27 made it a 14-5 game, but the Lions came roaring back over the next four minutes, outscoring the Yellowjackets 10-2 to pull to within one at 16-15. The Yellowjackets blew the game open, going on an 18-2 run to build the lead to 16 at 33-17. The Yellowjackets would build the lead to as many as 17, and would ultimately go to the locker room leading 41-27.
In the second half, Chase Leskala made a layup 3:50 in to pull Finlandia to within nine, but Eric Effertz (Ladysmith, Wis./Ladysmith) hit a three-pointer to nudge the lead back into double figures. The lead would get back to as many as 14 points several times in the half - on an Effertz three-pointer at 6:11, a jumper by Byrne at 12:02 and on a pair of free throws by Dustin Ritchie (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) at 12:33. Finlandia would again claw their way back into a single-digit deficit in the final minute, but Ritchie would drain a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to cement the game and give the Yellowjackets the ten-point win.
Ritchie and Brendan Bauer (Eleva, Wis./Gilmanton) led the Yellowjackets with 16 points each. Byrne added 15 for the Yellowjackets, who shot 51.9% for the game. Bauer led the Yellowjackets with 11 rebounds, giving him his third double-double of the season. Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) had a team-high four assists Byrne had the only block for the Yellowjackets. Ritchie led the Yellowjackets with three steals, and the Yellowjackets as a team had eight steals in the game.
Keith Arnold had 16 points, while Anthony Grandberry and Jonathon Moore had 14 and 13 points respectively for Finlandia.
MVP: Davis was named the tournament MVP. Davis had 21 points, eight assists and three rebounds in the two Yellowjacket victories.
All-Tournament Team: Following the two Yellowjacket victories, Davis and Aalfs were named to the all-tournament team.
The Yellowjackets (4-2, 0-0 WIAC) will take on Northwestern College on Wednesday, November 30. The game is the second game of a double-header and will start at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard live locally on 91.3 FM KUWS. Matt Johnson will have the call. The game can also be viewed live online through the iFan Sports Network, available at www.ifan.tv with Don Leighton handling the play-by-play.