Stevens Point 79, Yellowjackets 68
Box Score
Coming off a frustrating loss to Northwestern College on Wednesday, the UW-Superior men's basketball team was determined to put forth a stronger effort against the undefeated UW-Stevens Point Pointers Saturday afternoon.
And the Yellowjackets did just that, taking a lead late in the first half and then holding it for much of the second half.
Unfortunately for UW-Superior, the Pointers made several big plays down the stretch however including getting a game-high 34 points from Tyler Tillema to edge past the Yellowjackets 79-68 in both teams' WIAC opener at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.
With the loss, the Yellowjackets fell to 2-4 on the season while the Pointers continued their undefeated start at 5-0.
The Yellowjackets looked strong early, getting five points from Jarrod Peterson (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) and four points from Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) on the way to assuming a 12-7 lead with 16:13 left in the first half.
UW-Stevens Point responded, outscoring UW-Superior 13-7 over the next 5:22 to take a 20-19 lead on a free throw by Tillema with 10:51 left in the opening frame.
Peterson got hot from there, scoring 13 of his 20 first half points in the final 8:37 to help give the Yellowjackets a 37-34 lead at the half.
In the second half, UW-Superior continued to expand their lead, getting five quick points from Byrne, a driving layup by Johnquez Brooks (Las Vegas, Nev.), and a follow-up score from Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) to take a 48-40 lead with 14:43 left in regulation.
But the Pointers came right back, scoring the next nine points behind five points from Clayton Heuer and four more from Tillema to take a 49-48 lead with 11:18 remaining in the second half.
Three free throws from Peterson on the next possession allowed the Yellowjackets to briefly retake the lead at 51-49.
Joe Ritchay connected on a three-pointer from the right wing on the next Pointers' possession, giving UW-Stevens Point a 54-51 lead they would never relinquish.
A Byrne layup with 8:03 left brought the Yellowjackets to within 54-53.
UW-Stevens Point again pulled away however, taking their largest lead of the afternoon at 79-67 on two Austin Ryf free throws with just 27 seconds left in the contest.
Peterson finished with 26 points for the Yellowjackets while Byrne chipped in with 15 points and Brooks 12 for UW-Superior.
Along with Tillema's 34 points, the Pointers got 16 points from Heuer.
UW-Superior will host UW-Stout at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium on Wednesday. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game can be heard locally on 91.3 FM KUWS. Matt Johnson and Monte Stewart will be on the call.