UW-Superior 85, Bethany Lutheran 83
SUPERIOR, Wis. (January 6, 2018) – The Yellowjackets pulled off the dramatic upset Saturday afternoon, beating the UMAC leading Bethany Lutheran Vikings in overtime. Four 'Jackets found double-digits, as Shaq Coleman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) led the team with 21 points, scoring 16 in the second half.
Superior took their first lead of the game as Trevor Paulus (Brule, Wis./Northwestern) hit the stop-and-pop 3-pointer at 12:11 of the first half, going up 12-9. The teams would trade baskets thereafter, as there were seven lead changes and three ties in the first half. Montroy Scott (Fridley, Minn./Columbia Heights) would get the steal and dish to Mac Reykdal (Washburn, Wis./Washburn) for the transition three at 10:32 to regain the lead 15-13. The 'Jackets hit only four threes in the three 3-pointers in the first, but hit them when it counted. Vid Milenkovic (Zurich, Switzerland/DSB Belgrade, Serbia) would hit an aggressive layup for the and-one at 7:27, hitting the free throw for the three-point play. Superior continued to play tough heading into halftime, but was down 32-27 at the first buzzer.
The second period provided even more excitement. The Yellowjackets whittled down the Viking lead to one at 17:20, and then took the lead at 16:30 after Coleman hit on a layup. Nate Kalien (Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chippewa Falls) provided some heroics at the 13-minute mark to gain the lead back by hitting an open 3-pointer from the left arc, assisted by Coleman. The pressure continued to mount, as each team would gain a lead and then lose it on the next possession. The game would tie for the eighth time at 57-57 at 7:17 and then for the nineth at 63-63 with two minutes remaining. Colton Williams (Columbia Heights, Minn. /Columbia Heights) hit one-of-two free throws with 1:25 remaining in the half to go up two, but the Vikings found a quick bucket on the other end to level at 66-66, sending the game to overtime.
The five-minute overtime commenced. Scott found the basket early on a Kalien assisted 3-pointer, then the 'Jackets took a five-point lead with three minutes remaining, after Coleman stole the ball, found Milenkovic, dished to Williams for the layup. The 'Jackets were solid from the line down the stretch, giving the Vikings no option but to foul, and hitting 8-of-10 from the line.
The final horn sounded after two Coleman free throws, dethroning the Vikings.
The overtime period was some of the best basketball of the day for Superior. The 'Jackets shot 5-of-8 from the field, including a 3-pointer.
Along with Coleman's 21 points, he had six rebounds, and five assists. Williams shot the ball well, going 8-of-11 from the field; he also was one shy of a double-double with nine rebounds. Kalien had 12 points, including three 3-ponters, while Milenkovic notched the double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.
Bethany Lutheran's Bradley Rose led all scorers with 22 points.
The 'Jackets will continue their UMAC march as they travel to Northwestern this Wednesday, Jan. 10, battling with the Eagles at 5:30 p.m.
