Box Score
Yellowjackets 60, Whitewater 58
Box Score
Alumni Day is always a special day for any college basketball team. But with a home playoff spot up for grabs and 4th-ranked UW-Whitewater coming to town, the UW-Superior men's basketball team had a chance to make their annual dedication to former players more special than usual Saturday afternoon.
And the Yellowjackets did just that, getting a clutch three-pointer from Ben Aalfs (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) with just 1.1 seconds left to edge the Warhawks 60-58 before a loud and boisterous crowd at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.
The win upped UW-Superior's record to 14-10 overall and 8-7 in WIAC conference action. More importantly, it kept the Yellowjackets in sole possession of fourth place in the league and on track for a home playoff game.
UW-Superior started slowly in the first half, falling behind 11-4 at the 16:08 mark as Chris Davis connected on two three's in the first four minutes for UW-Whitewater (20-3 overall, 11-3 WIAC) to go along with another three by Eric Bryson and a layup by Luke Knoble.
The Yellowjackets fought their way to back to within 16-14 with12:36 left in the opening half behind three's from Aalfs, Brendan Bauer (Eleva, Wis./Gilmanton) and Adam Hjelter (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson).
UW-Superior went on to take their first lead of the game at 23-22 following a jumper by Jarrod Peterson (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) with 9:14 remaining before the Warhawks reclaimed the advantage at 24-23 on an inside score by Lucas Burns.
From there, UW-Whitewater expanded their edge to 30-25 after a jumper by Knoble with 4:49 left before Aalfs' short jumper with 29 seconds on the clock brought the Yellowjackets to within 32-31 at the break.
The Warhawks again started fast in the second half, getting a layup from Knoble and a jumper from Davis in the first three minutes to up their lead to 39-33 with 16:07 remaining in regulation.
UW-Superior refused to quit, coming back to even matters 41-41 on a three-point play by Walter Charlton (Nassau, Bahamas/Teleos Christian) with 12:13 left in the second half.
Four points from Knoble allowed UW-Whitewater to retake the lead at 45-41.
The Yellowjackets rallied back right back however, coming to within 55-54 on a three-point play by Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) with 3:25 showing on the clock.
A layup by Davis upped the UW-Whitewater edge to 57-54 with 3:06 remaining in regulation. But the Yellowjackets stiffened defensively the rest of the way, limiting the Warhawks to just one point in the final three minutes.
Hjelter brought the Yellowjackets to within 57-56 on a driving layup at 2:06 before Davis converted a free throw with just 13 seconds left to give the Warhawks a 58-56 lead.
Aalfs finally put UW-Superior ahead for good on the ensuing possession, taking a pass from Hjelter before splitting a double-team and dropping a long three from the top of the key to give the Yellowjackets a 59-58 edge with just 1.1 seconds left .
A UW-Whitewater turnover allowed the Yellowjackets to inbound a pass to Charlton, who was fouled and connected on a free throw with just 0.4 seconds showing on the clock to provide the final margin of victory.
Aalfs paced the Yellowjackets offensively with 18 points while Byrne finished with 11 points. UW-Superior connected on 7-of-15 from three-point range and also 9-of-10 free throws for the game.
UW-Whitewater was led by Davis with a game-high 19 points. Knoble added 16 points while Bryson added 11 for the Warhawks.
The Yellowjackets close out the regular season Saturday when they host UW-LaCrosse at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium at 5 p.m. The game can be heard locally on 91.3 FM KUWS with Matt Johnson and Monte Stewart on the call.
