SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Junior Elise Besonen (Ewen, Mich./Ewen-Trout Creek) and senior J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel) have been slated as the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Basketball Players of the Week, as the circuit revealed its award winners in an announcement Monday.
 
The Yellowjacket women's basketball team opened its season this past weekend in Chicago, Ill., taking part in the 2023 Midway Classic on the campus of University of Chicago. The 'Jackets went 1-1, falling to Denison 53-50 and earning their first victory of the campaign over Pomona-Pitzer by a 70-57 decision.
 
Besonen played a full 40 minutes in both games, ending with 11 points, five rebounds and two steals against the Big Red. Against the Sagehens, Besonen turned in her highest offensive output while a Yellowjacket, earning 26 points with two rebounds and a perfect six-for-six from the free-throw line.
 
The Yellowjacket men hosted the 13th annual Merrill Thompson Classic this past weekend, playing against a pair of Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) teams in UW-La Crosse and UW-River Falls. Friday evening the Yellowjackets defeated the Eagles by a score of 76-68, as Walker contributed 20 points, two steals, a block, and four rebounds.
 
Saturday afternoon Walker brought things to another level, scoring a career-high 38 points against the Falcons while tallying 32 points in the second half. Ending his afternoon with four steals, one blocked shot, six rebounds and boasting a 60.9 percentage from the field goal range, Walker spearheaded the offensive attack to beat UW-River Falls 75-70.
 
The Yellowjacket women's team will be back in action Friday as they travel to Lawrence. Tipoff inside Alexander Gymnasium is set for 7 p.m.
 
The Yellowjacket men's squad will travel across the bridge to face St. Scholastica Wednesday. Game time at Reif Gymnasium is slated for a 7 p.m. start.