St. Scholastica 80, UW-Superior 79

DULUTH, Minn. (January 31, 2018) – The Yellowjackets took part in the boarder battle with the Saints for the second time this season. The Yellowjackets kept it close throughout the contest as a Nate Kalien (Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chippewa Falls) hit the game-tying three, but the Saints won the battle on a free throw.

Vid Milenkovic (Zurich, Switzerland/DSB Belgrade, Serbia) found the first points for the Yellowjackets, scoring the layup at 19:16. Colton Williams (Columbia Heights, Minn. /Columbia Heights) and Shaq Coleman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) would also get baskets close to the hoop and to take a 6-4 Superior lead. Coleman and Milenkovic would continue to put in points, opening op a 14-8 'Jacket lead midway through the half.

The Saints the lead at 22-21 on a 3-pointer, but the Yellowjackets would keep it close when Montroy Scott (Fridley, Minn./Columbia Heights) scored five-straight points on a layup followed by a 3-pointer. Milenkovic and Williams would add a few more points with two minutes remaining in the half, but St. Scholastica had jumped out to a 49-36 lead at the half.

The 'Jackets found themselves in a 55-41 after the first few minutes of the half, but Superior would clamp down on defense and score 10-straight points to make it a 55-51 game, getting baskets from Milenkovic, Williams, and Coleman.

The Yellowjackets kept it close, as Milenkovic would score his 19th point on the game to score an even 60 to the Saints' 64, followed by a Scott layup and two Williams' free throws to tie at 64. Superior fell behind again, but not to be discouraged; Mac Reykdal (Washburn, Wis./Washburn) would hit a 3-pointer with 3:32 remaining to get back to within three.

Milenkovic took the 76-75 lead on a layup, but the Saints would regain on a few free throws; it was a 79-76 with under a minute to play.

The Yellowjackets were under pressure once again, but Kalien played the hero in this one, hitting the clutch 3-pointer at the 23-second mark, tying the game at 79.

The Yellowjackets locked down on defense in the final possession, but a rebound went Scholastica's way and a foul was called with .3 seconds remaining. A final free throw had sunk the Yellowjackets.

 Four of the five starters scored in double-figures, as Milenkovic  led all scorers with 21, while Williams had 16, Scott 15, and Coleman also 15. Williams and Milenkovic had nine and eight rebounds respectively. The Yellowjackets were also active on the defensive end, collecting 11 steals in the contest, as Scott led the team with four.  

The Saints had five players in double-digit scoring.

Superior will return home this weekend, playing Crown College Feb. 3. Tipoff set for 3 p.m.