SUPERIOR, Wis. – After more than a month away, the Yellowjacket men's basketball team returned to Mertz Mortorelli Gym Thursday. And after this one game, the Yellowjackets will be gone for another three weeks, not seeing their home court again until their UMAC home opener Jan. 7.
Â
The opponent Thursday was UW-Eau Claire. The Blugolds, who came into the game with a 6-3 mark, are led by Matt Siverling, the former head coach of the Yellowjackets from 2010-12.
Â
The Yellowjackets put up a strong fight Thursday, but in the end Eau Claire's strong shooting and bench depth were too much, and the Blugolds defeated UW-Superior 81-62 at the Mertz.
Â
Pacing the Yellowjackets (3-5, 1-1 UMAC) was
Josef Fahrenholtz (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield), who scored 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting. As a team the Yellowjackets shot .417 for the game, going 25-for-60 including 6-for-20 from three.
Â
The Yellowjackets, and Fahrenholtz in particular, came out strong. The senior center scored the games first five points as the Yellowjackets moved in front early.
Joey Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) got into the act as well, laying one in as the Yellowjackets moved in front 10-6. Eau Claire drew even moments later, however, when Brock Voight, who led all scorers with 26 points, hit a jumper in the paint to make it 12-12.
Â
Midway through the half the Blugolds pulled in front, but
Reid Johnson (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) hit a free throw to tie the game at 20-20. Later, Fahrenholtz made a layup to put the Yellowjackets back in front. But once again, Voight put the Blugholds in front, dunking one home to make it 29-28. The Yellowjackets were outscored 9-4 the rest of the way and went into halftime trailing 32-28.
Â
Just like in the first half, the Yellowjackets got a fast start in the second half, again scoring the first five points. Barker hit a three and
T.J. Moberg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) hit a jumper to pull the Yellowjackets to within one, 38-37. That was as close as they would get, however. Eau Claire shot 64 percent in the second half, riding a 12-4 run to pull away.
Â
Barker finished with 13 points, while Johnson had 11 and
J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel) added 10. Fahrenholtz also led the Yellowjackets with eight rebounds, two steals, and a block.
Â
The Yellowjackets will play their final game before the break this Saturday on the road at UW-Stevens Point. The opening tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Quandt Fieldhouse.
Â