The University of Wisconsin Superior posted its highest scoring effort of the season on Saturday afternoon at Mortorelli Gym, but the defense got away from the Yellowjackets as Bethany Lutheran nipped the home team 96-92 in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference action.
The Vikings jumped out to an early nine-point lead just 3:25 into the game at 13-4 after scoring the first six points of the game. UW-Superior (6-16, 5-8 UMAC) scored the next five points to pull within four, a distance that Bethany Lutheran (13-9, 9-4 UMAC) seemed to maintain the rest of the way. Despite building that lead up to a game-high 10 in the first half, the Vikings would lead 45-40 at the half as sophomore big man
Rob Lander (Pitesti, Romania/Trinity International School) knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer.
The Yellowjackets would get as close as one point at 89-88 with 1:25 remaining in the second half, and cut the lead to two on multiple occassions in the closing minutes of the half but could not get the game-tying score as Bethany Lutheran led the entire game. Brandyn Freliz had 32 points, eight rebounds, and five assists to lead the Vikings. Three players had 15+ points for Bethany, which shot a combined 51.6 percent for the game (32-of-62). UW-Superior got 18 points from junior guard
Shaq Coleman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East H.S.), while sophomore
Trevor Oswald (Isle, Minn./Isle H.S.) has 17 points off the bench. Five Yellowjackets reached double figures, including Lander who finished one rebound shy of a double-double at 10-and-9.
UW-Superior had three players foul out in the game, which helped send the Vikings to line 39 times for 28 points. The Yellowjackets would finish 16-of-20 from the line, while shooting a very respectable 44.7 percent from the floor (34-of-76) including knocking down eight three-pointers.
UP NEXT
UW-Superior will meet the College of St. Scholastica in the bridge battle rematch next Saturday in the home regular season finale for the Yellowjackets. Opening tip is set for 5:00 p.m. following the women's contest.
