Bethel 84, UW-Superior 71
SUPERIOR, Wis. (December 30, 2017) – The Yellowjackets kept with the Bethel Royals in the first half, only down seven at half, but continued hot shooting from the Royals in the second half upended Superior's chances.
The Yellowjackets tied the game at 2-2 after Montroy Scott (Fridley, Minn./Columbia Heights) laid the ball up and in at 18:44 of the first half. The 'Jackets soon from some range, as Vid Milenkovic (Zurich, Switzerland/DSB Belgrade, Serbia) hit the open 3-pointer to take a 9-8 lead over the Royals; two more baskets in the paint from Shaq Coleman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) and Milenkovic would get to the 13-8 lead.
The Royals then went on a run of their own, making the game 17-13, but the 'Jackets fough back as Joseph Kramer (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) hit one of his three first half 3-pointers, making it 17-16. The teams would continue to trade buckets, as the game was tied seven times, and the lead changed eight times in the first half. The 'Jackets held a four point lead at 5:17 remaining after Milenkovic hit on a Mac Reykdal (Washburn, Wis./Washburn) assisted layup, but Bethel would get the last laugh in the first, holding a 40-33 lead at halftime.
The 'Jackets cut the Royal lead to six points three minutes into the second half, as Reykdal drained a three, assisted by Milenkovic, to make it 44-38, but the Royals kept knocking down shots, holding a 10-point lead midway through the second half.
Superior kept fighting in the last 10 minutes, Milenkovic would hit free throws with six minutes remaining, and Coleman would get a layup at 4:44, but Bethel proved their free throw shooting prowess, hitting their final six free throws to win the game 84-71.
Coleman and Milenkovic both finished with 20 points for the 'Jackets, shooting a combined 55 percent, while Kramer had all nine points in the first half. Colton Williams (Columbia Heights, Minn. /Columbia Heights) was tough on the boards, grabbing eight boards, and getting eight points.
Five Royals were in double-figure scoring, while Riley Dearring led all scorers with 24.
The Yellowjackets will travel to St. Bonifacius, Minn.. to face Crown College Wednesday Jan. 3 at 5:30 p.m.
