NEW ULM, Minn.: Wednesday evening the Yellowjacket men's basketball team won its first U.M.A.C. game of the season, and in the process snapped an early-season losing streak. Saturday afternoon they were looking to win their second in a row and head into the break on a small winning streak.Standing in the way was Martin Luther, who was looking to win for the third time in the last five starts.
 
The Yellowjackets pulled ahead and led at halftime, but Martin Luther rallied in the second half and pulled away from the Yellowjackets late to earn the 58-53 win Saturday afternoon in New Ulm, Minnesota. Saturday's game was back-and-forth throughout, with each team leading four different time and neither team building a lead of more than seven points.

Adam Arroyo (St. Paul, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran Academy), who has played well of late and now started three games in a row, scored four of the first seven points for the Yellowjackets. With just over six minutes gone in the first half Nick Ackerman (Pine River, Wis./Pine River-Backus) hit a three to pull the Yellowjackets to within one, but Martin Luther followed with a 5-0 run. Just past the mid point of the half Ronny Galvan (Beloit, Wis./Beloit Turner) hit a jumper, his first points of the game, to give the Yellowjackets a 20-19 lead. Mac Reykdal (Washburn, Wis./Washburn) hit a three to make it a 28-27 in favor of the Yellowjackets, and the lead kept building. At the half the Yellowjackets were ahead by a half dozen points, 36-30.

As the second half unfolded the Yellowjackets and Knights traded buckets. The Yellowjackets continued to hold Martin Luther at arms length and preserve their lead. Martin Luther would pull ahead with 12:28 to play, but the Yellowjackets would counter with an Andrew McGill (St. Germain, Wis./Lakeland Union) layup to regain the lead. The Knights would again take the lead with just over eight minutes to play, but again the Yellowjackets had an answer, this time taking a 44-43 lead on a Montroy Scott (Fridley, Minn./Columbia Heights) layup. The Yellowjacket advantage would reach three, but Martin Luther stayed close and took the lead for good with 5:46 to play. The lead would go as high as seven points before coming back to five at the buzzer.

Scott led the way for the Yellowjackets with 15 points and eight rebounds. Reykdal had another strong game as well for the Yellowjackets, scoring 14 points. McGill and John Pioro (Proctor, Minn./Proctor) each had four points in 21 minutes off the bench.

Up Next: The Yellowjackets (2-9, 1-3 U.M.A.C.) return from the break Saturday, December 29 when they travel to Saint John's. Game time from Collegeville, Minnesota is set for 3:00 p.m.