NEW ULM, Minn. – Coming off their first win of the season Saturday, the Yellowjacket men's basketball team was looking to make it two in a row Wednesday night, as it hit the road to take on Martin Luther in a contest that was originally scheduled for February 8.
 
As the season is winding down, it appears the Yellowjackets are finding their collective stride. The Yellowjackets shot 49.1 percent from the field in the game, including a sizzling 58.1 percent in the first half on the way to an 86-78 win over Martin Luther at the Luther Student Center.
 
With the win, the Yellowjackets improve to 2-2 on the year and move into fifth place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference standings.
 
It was another outstanding game for Superior's Eli Vogel (Appleton, Wis./Appleton West). The sophomore again paced the Yellowjacket offense, finishing the game with 28 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-7 from outside the arc. J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel) added 18 points and had a season-high six steals.
 
The Yellowjackets started fast, scoring the first seven points and opening up an 11-2 lead in the first 3:41. The lead went as high as 11, but the Knights weren't going away quietly and slowly started to chip away at the advantage.
 
Martin Luther pulled to within three at 25-22, but the Yellowjackets went on 13-3 run to get the lead back up to 13 points with just over four minutes to go in the first half. The Knights knocked a few points off the edge, but the 'Jackets were still up 43-35 at the break.
 
Superior started the second half just like the first – strong. The 'Jackets scored the first five points to spike the lead back up to 13, 48-35. Vogel hit a jumper with 14:48 to go in the game to put the 'Jackets ahead 54-42, but once again Martin Luther chipped away at the lead. They scored the next 10 points to dial up the pressure on the 'Jackets and cut the lead to two. Joey Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) made a layup and completed the three-point play with a free throw with 11:35 to go to stop the run and get the offense moving again.
 
But as was the case all game, Martin Luther came back, and with 4:37 to go tied the game at 68-68. The Knights would take their first lead of the game, 70-69 with 4:02 to go, setting the stage for a furious finish. The lead would change hands four times before Walker made a free throw to put the 'Jackets back in front, 75-74 with 2:30 to go. The Yellowjackets would never trail again and earned their second win of the season.
 
Josef Fahrenholtz (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) had another strong game for the Yellowjackets, scoring 11 points and grabbing five rebounds. Barker also reached double digits, scoring 10. Josh Reinertsen (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld) scored five points off the bench.
 
The Yellowjackets have a quick turnaround as they return to action Thursday when they host Northland College. Game time from Mertz Mortorelli Gym is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
UW-Superior and Yellowjacket Athletics will follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols recommended by the Douglas County Health Department. To conduct our events in the safest manner possible, spectators will not be permitted at UW-Superior home athletic events. Fans can follow the Yellowjackets through our online content provider, the iFan Sports Network. Fans can also listen to contests live on the radio home of Yellowjacket sports, 91.3 KUWS.