SUPERIOR, Wis. – As it's been for the past 13 seasons, the Yellowjacket men's basketball team opened their home schedule hosting the Merrill Thompson Classic, sponsored by National Bank of Commerce. This year, the Yellowjackets play host to Concordia College (Minn.), alongside former Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) foes UW-La Crosse and UW-River Falls. After the Cobbers edged the Falcons in the opener, it was time for the 'Jackets to make their long-awaited home debut after a strong 2022-23 campaign.
 
The Eagles of UW-La Crosse would get the scoring started off an early three-pointer by Will Fuhrmann. UW-La Crosse would maintain a short lead until the Yellowjackets countered with a three-pointer by Reid Johnson (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) to earn their first lead of the evening at 15-14. From there UWS would commence a balanced offensive attack led by Johnson, Joey Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) and J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel).
 
Both teams would commit various turnovers throughout the remainder of the half, but the Yellowjacket offense proved to be stronger as Walker, Barker, Johnson and Ty Melchert (Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Southwest) would add to the lead. To end the first half, Andrew Kunelius (Caledonia, Minn./Caledonia) came up with a huge block and drained a three-point shot which led to the 'Jackets leading 40-30 going into the break.
 
Halftime wouldn't sway the offensive output, as UW-Superior carried its momentum into the second half as Josef Fahrenholtz (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) drained a jumper to extend the lead over UW-La Crosse at 42-32. Walker and Barker each finished a pair of layups before Fahrenholtz and Johnson would nail a pair of shots at 54-43. The Eagles would begin to scratch their way back into the game, but after a pair of jumpers and free throws by Fahrenholtz, the Yellowjackets would maintain a 10-point lead.
 
UW-La Crosse would come within three points of UW-Superior, but that's as close as they would get after costly fouls and turnovers. Fahrenholtz and Johnson would each notch free throws that would secure the game victory at 76-68.
 
Walker ended a strong evening with 18 points, while Johnson and Fahrenholtz each tallied 17 points. Barker finished with 16 points while stealing seven. The Yellowjackets would shoot an even 50% from beyond the arc while securing a 56% field goal percentage on the evening.
 
The 'Jackets are back in action tomorrow in the second and final day of the Merrill Thompson Classic, facing the Falcons of UW-River Falls. Tipoff inside the Mertz is slated for a 4 p.m. start.