The University of Wisconsin Superior battled tough with Saint John's University throughout both teams' opening night match-up at Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium, but the Johnnies hit their free throws late to pull way from the Yellowjackets for an 89-79 victory on Tuesday night.

UW-Superior (0-1) got 21 points from rookie Rafael Monteiro (São Paulo, Brazil/Santa Marcelina College) on 7-for-11 shooting in his collegiate debut. Sophomore Montryo Scott and freshman Christian Sellers (Ontario, Calif./Colony H.S.) each added 14 points for UWS, while junior Shaq Coleman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East H.S.) had 11 in his first game as a Yellowjacket. UWS shot just 31.6 percent from the floor in the opening half, but powered back shooting 54.6 percent in the second half. The Yellowjackets were 9-for-23 from three (39.3) percent.

Saint John's (1-0) did UW-Superior one better, shooting 52.5 percent for the game and making 23 scores on the free throw line compared to just 10-for-14 for the Yellowjackets. The Johnnies got 31 points from sophomore David Stokman and 22 from junior Tyler Weiss. Each team grabbed nine offensive boards but Saint John's made good on them, scoring 13 second-chance points. There were eight lead changes and nine tie scores during a game that was 34-31 in favor of the Johnnies at halftime.

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UW-Superior will play host to a pair of foes this weekend as the Merrill Thompson Tip-Off Weekend returns to Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium. The Yellowjackets will meet Hamline University on Friday night. Opening tip is set for 7:00 p.m.