The UW-Stevens Point Pointers had other ideas however.  And although the Yellowjackets remained within striking distance for most of the day's action, the Pointers made several key plays to hold on for a 67-58 victory Saturday afternoon.

While the Yellowjackets (11-9 overall, 5-6 WIAC) managed to limit a talented Pointer lineup to just 43.1 percent shooting from field and 23.5 percent accuracy from the three-point line, UW-Stevens Point grabbed 10 offensive rebounds and held UW-Superior to hitting on just 3-of-19 shooting from long range in claiming the victory.

UW-Stevens Point (16-4, 9-2) got off to a fast start in the opening half, going on an 11-0 run over a 5:24 period to take a 14-4 lead following a jumper by Tyler Tillema with 14:05 showing on the clock.

The Pointers would expand their lead to 26-12 on a three by Jordan Giordana with 5:29 remaining before they Yellowjackets steadily climbed back, coming to within 27-22 on a Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) layup with 2:11 left. 

Brendan Bauer (Eleva, Wis./Gilmanton) closed the deficit again a few moments later, scoring a layup of his own at the 1:12 mark to make the score 27-24 as the Yellowjackets went to the intermission trailing only 29-24.

UW-Superior continued their run early in the second half as layups from Bryne and Ben Aalfs (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) along with a close-in, left-handed finish from Bauer brought the Yellowjackets to within 31-30 with 17:51 remaining in regulation.

But the Pointers responded, scoring the next seven points for a 38-30 edge after a driving layup by Tyler Tillema with 15:11 left in the second half.

The Yellowjackets fought back, coming to within 57-53 on a three by Bauer with 6:14 remaining,  59-55 on two free throws by Dustin Ritchie (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) at the 4:46 mark and 61-57 on Aalfs' acrobatic lay-in with 3:47 left in regulation.

UW-Stevens Point finally sealed matters down the stretch however, outscoring UW-Superior 6-1 behind two free throws each from Tyler Tillema and Giordana in the final 56 seconds of the contest.

UW-Superior was paced by Bauer's 16 points and six rebounds.  Aalfs added 13 points while Ritchie finished with 11.

The Pointers were led by Tyler Tillema with a game-high 21 points.  Jordan Brezinski added 14 points and 14 rebounds while Dan Tillema pitched in with 10 points.

The Yellowjackets will host UW-Stout on Wednesday night at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.  Opening tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game can be heard locally on 91.3 FM KUWS with Matt Johnson and Monte Stewart on the call.