Yellowjackets open second half with a loss

Jarrod Peterson

Box Score

Gustavus 71, Yellowjackets 60
Box Score

UW-Eau Claire's Zorn Arena was the site of the first game back from the holiday break for the Yellowjacket men's basketball team, as they competed in the 44th annual UW-Eau Claire Holiday Classic. After 11 days off the team was well rested, but unfortunately they were also a little bit rusty.

The Yellowjackets never led in Friday's contest, and their cold shooting in the second half helped Gustavus Adolphus College of St. Peter, Minn. cruise to the victory, 71-60 in the tournament's opening game.

After shooting 51.9% (14-of-27) in the first half, the Yellowjackets crumbled after the break, hitting only 8-of-28 shots (28.6%), including a 1-for-11 mark from outside the three-point line.

The Gusties led from wire-to-wire in this one, making their first basket just 33 seconds into the game. Jarrod Peterson (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) scored the first basket of the game for the Yellowjackets, but it didn't come until 3:17 had expired. It took another 100 seconds for Aaron Corry (Lake Nebagamon, Wis./Northwestern) to add the third and fourth points of the game for the Yellowjackets, and by that time the Gusties opened up a 14-4 lead.

Gustavus kept their first-half edge in double digits until a Johnquez Brooks (North Las Vegas, Nev./Valley) jumper with 4:25 left in the half pulled the Yellowjackets to within nine. Peterson would add six more points in the final minutes of the half, pulling the Yellojackets to within six, 41-35 at the break.

A Peterson layup in the opening minute of the second half made it a four-point game, 41-37. Gustavus again pulled away, building up the lead to as many as ten with just under seven minutes to play. The Yellowjackets again clawed their way back into the game, however. A Peterson three pointer started the rally, and Brooks and Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) combined to score ten points as the Yellowjackets made it a three-point game, 61-58 with just under three minutes to play.

From there, Gustavus went on a 7-3 run, with all seven points coming by way of free throws, to close out the scoring and hand the Yellowjackets their second straight defeat.

Peterson led the Yellowjackets with 21 points, the fourth time this season he has eclipsed the 20-point mark. Byrne finished with 12 points while Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) and Brooks scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, giving the Yellowjackets four starters with double digit scoring.

Byrne led the Yellowjackets with 12 rebounds and three blocks. Brooks, Corry and Austin Cahil (Phoenix, Ariz./St. Mary's) all had two assists. Peterson came away with three of the six steals the Yellowjackets had in the game.

Jim Hill was the top scorer for the Gusties, finishing the game with 21 points.

The Yellowjackets (3-8, 1-3 WIAC) will look to halt their short losing streak and pick up their first win of the second half when they take on St. Olaf College in their second game of the UW-Eau Claire Holiday Classic on Saturday, December 29. The opening tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Print Friendly Version