The University of Wisconsin Superior earned a payback victory over North Central University and its third consecutive victory as the Yellowjackets defeated the Rams 81-71 at Mortorelli Gym on Friday night.

UW-Superior (5-12, 4-5 UMAC) picked up the ten-point victory over its Upper Midwest Athletic Conference rival after falling 84-61 to North Central (5-9, 3-6 UMAC) on December 3 earlier this season on the road. After the Rams jumped out to a game-high 10-point lead at 16-6 just 4:08 into the game, the Yellowjackets immediately started on the comeback, trimming the lead to 16-12 and eventually taking  a 24-23 lead on a three-pointer by sophomore Trevor Oswald (Isle, Minn./Isle H.S.) with 8:09 left in the half. UWS pushed its lead out to eight points by the break, out-scoring the Rams 28-16 over the final 15:52.

The two teams played a fair even second half, but the Yellowjackets did enough to hold North Central at bay, holding on for an eventual ten-point victory. Freshman Rafael Monteiro (São Paulo, Brazil/Santa Marcelina College) earned yet another double-double with 22 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and two assists in the game. Sophomore guard Montroy Scott (Fridley, Minn./Columbia Heights H.S.) also scored 22 in a very different fashion, knocking down four three-pointers. The Rams' Travis Voigt led all scorers with 25 points.

North Central shot 43.3 percent for the game (26-of-60) knocking down nine three-pointers. UW-Superior hit just six three-pointers but shot 48.3 percent (29-of-60) and scored 17 points at the free throw line. Oswald added 11 points off the bench for the Yellowjackets while freshman Christian Sellers (Ontario, Calif./Colony H.S.) also had 10 off the bench.

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UW-Superior will host the top dog in the UMAC on Saturday when the University of Northwestern visits Superior. Opening tip between the Yellowjackets and Eagles is set for 5:00 p.m. following the women's contest.