The last time the UW-Superior men's basketball team faced off against UW-LaCrosse, all that separated the Yellowjackets from victory was a last-second tip-in that allowed the Eagles to claim a 57-56 victory.

With the prospect of a home playoff game on the line, the Yellowjackets hoped to return the favor in their second meeting with the Eagles Saturday afternoon at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium.

Unfortunately for the Yellowjackets, no such chance would come as the Eagles rallied from a seven-point second half deficit to edge UW-Superior 65-64 in both teams' regular season finales.

The loss dropped the Yellowjackets to 14-11 overall on the season, including finishing 8-8 in WIAC conference action.  UW-LaCrosse meanwhile improved to 16-9 on the season while also finishing 8-8 in regular season WIAC play.

UW-Superior found itself in a hole early as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-2 lead with 16:04 remaining in the first half following a three-pointer by Lucas Collum.

The Yellowjackets rallied back, cutting the deficit to 14-11 after a jumper by Ben Aalfs (Hutchinson, Minn./Hutchinson) with 13:03 left in the opening frame.

UW-LaCrosse continued to hold the edge, upping the margin to 25-17 on driving layup by Cory Degner at the 9:25 mark of the half.

But with the Eagles holding a 33-25 edge and just 4:02 remaining in the first, the Yellowjackets outscored UW-LaCrosse 10-2 the rest of the half to even matters at the break.

Trent Davis (Apple Valley, Minn./St. Bernard's) started the run for UW-Superior, knocking down a three at the 3:19 mark before another three by Aalfs, and an inside score from Bronson Byrne (Chanhassen, Minn./Chaska) and two free throws by Aalfs with 1:03 left allowed the Yellowjackets to head to the locker-room tied 35-35.

The Yellowjackets appeared to take control in the first few minutes of the second half, getting layups from Byrne and Davis along with a jumper from Aalfs to take a 41-35 advantage with 17:22 remaining in regulation.

UW-Superior's lead would grow to 44-37 on another layup from Aalfs with 14:34 left in the second half.

But the Eagles came right back, going on a 7-0 over the next 2:56 to even matters 44-44 on a layup by Derek Braucht with 11:38 left in the contest.

Matters remained tight over the next several minutes before a three by Collum and a layup by Lucas Morrissey gave the Eagles a 61-56 edge at the 2:45 mark.

The Yellowjackets attempted to fight back, cutting the deficit to one on two different occasions, the second being on a Brendan Bauer (Eleva, Wis./Gilmanton) lay-in with just nine seconds left that made it 65-64.

UW-LaCrosse held on however as a last-second Yellowjacket shot from the side line fell short, giving the Eagles the one-point win.

Offensively, the Yellowjackets were led by Aalfs with a game-high 27 points.

Collum scored 20 points for the Eagles while Morrissey added 12 for UW-LaCrosse.

The Yellowjackets head to UW-Stevens Point to kick-off playoff action on Wednesday, February 22.  Opening tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.  Matt Johnson and Monte Stewart will have the call on 91.3 FM KUWS.