UW-Superior 76, Martin Luther 73
NEW ULM, Minn. (January 27, 2018) – It came down to the final seconds, something the Yellowjackets have been used to lately, but this time the Yellowjackets pulled out the close victory in overtime on a last second 3-pointer from Vid Milenkovic (Zurich, Switzerland/DSB Belgrade, Serbia).
Shaq Coleman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) scored the first points for Superior, getting Superior out of a 6-0 hole to start the game. It was a defensive game in the opening minutes, as Coleman and Milenkovic added layups in the 13th minute to make it 8-6 Knights.
The scoring would pick up thereafter, as the 'Jackets continued to answer with points. Five straight points came from Colton Williams (Columbia Heights, Minn. /Columbia Heights), including two layups and a free throw, while Montroy Scott (Fridley, Minn./Columbia Heights) scored his first basket on a layup. Superior would get back to within two points after Coleman stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for the layup, making it 24-22.
Martin Luther jumped out to another six point margin later in the half, while Williams found a layup after a good effort getting the offensive rebounds, and Scott sank two free throws in the closing two minutes. Superior looked to come back, down 37-30 at halftime.
The Yellowjackets started to chip away at the Martin Luther lead, Scott would hit back-to-back free throws to make it a six-point game, and Nate Kalien (Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chippewa Falls) hit a 3-pointer to make it 41-38 at the 16:44. Coleman then found a layup at 13:30 to get the game to one point.
Superior would keep it close in the following minutes to take the lead on two free throws again from Scott. Mac Reykdal (Washburn, Wis./Washburn) was able to get to the line down adding two more and extending the lead to three points at 6:32.
Martin Luther tied the game shortly after at 58, and once again took the lead at 2:59, but Superior fired back with a clutch 3-pointer, assisted by Coleman, to get back a one-point lead.
The teams traded leads in the final two minutes, but the Knights would hold a two-point lead in the final 14 seconds. The 'Jackets pushed the length of the floor and were able to find the open shot as Williams sank the Coleman-assisted layup with seven seconds remaining. The game was tied and headed to overtime.
Reykdal would get open for the layup to begin the overtime period, taking the lead. The Knights would get two quick buckets to get back out in front, but the 'Jackets would score two more baskets and take the lead again.
The Knights held a one-point lead with 35 seconds remaining in extra time, but a key foul call sent Williams to the line, hitting 1-of-2 to tie the game at 73. The final possession came to Coleman; driving to the lane, he had his shot blocked off the backboard which was sent to Milenkovic in the left wing. Setting and shooting, he drained the three right as time expired.
The Yellowjackets shot the ball well from the field, 51 percent on the game, and well from the line, going 21-of-33 for 63 percent.
Milenkovic and Coleman each had 18 points in the contest, while Williams had 16, Scott 11, and Reykdal. Milenkovic also had a double-double on the night collecting 12 rebounds.
The 'Jackets will be back in action this Wednesday as the Border Battle continues with St. Scholastica Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m. in Duluth, Minn.
