Yellowjackets 67, Northwestern 56
Box Score 

With their conference season opener with UW-Stevens Point looming on Saturday, the UW-Superior men's basketball team was looking to extend a current two-game winning streak when they hosted Northwestern College at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium Wednesday night.

And the Yellowjackets came through in fine fashion, overcoming some cold early shooting before rallying for a 67-56 victory over the Eagles.

UW-Superior (5-2) started slowly in the opening minutes, falling behind 14-5 with 14:32 remaining in the first half following four consecutive three-pointers from Tom Gisler, Wade Chitwood, Ethan Benton and Ellis Libby.

The Eagles (2-4) would expand their advantage to 19-5 at the 11:41 mark after another three pointer from Benton and driving layup from Kory Kiekoefer.

But the Yellowjackets gradually chipped away at the lead, getting a three of their own from Dustin Ritchie (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) before three inside baskets from Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) and a pair of threes from both Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) and Adam Hjelter (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) to help UW-Superior go on a 28-10 burst over the final 11:41 to take a 33-29 lead into the intermission.

Northwestern would rally in the second half, getting a key baskets from Chitwood and Gisler to retake the lead at 43-42 with 11:37 left in the second half.

UW-Superior would respond however, getting six second half points from Byrne and key baskets from Brendan Bauer (Eleva, Wis./Gilmanton), Davis and Hjelter to take a 57-47 lead with 2:14 remaining in regulation before holding on down the stretch.

The Yellowjackets were led by Bryne with 14 points and six rebounds.  Ritchie pitched in with 12 points and 10 assists.  Ritchie's ten assists are the most by a Yellowjacket since Lamar Burton-Norman had 12 against UW-Stout on February 7, 2007.  Bauer finished with 12 points and Davis also had a strong showing for the Yellowjackets with 11 points.  Hjelter finished with nine.

Northwestern was paced by Chitwood's game-high 16 points.  Gisler added 14 points while Benton had 13.

UW-Superior hits the road to face the Pointers for a 5 p.m. tipoff on Saturday.  The game can be heard live locally on 91.3 FM KUWS with Matt Johnson on the call.