SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket men's basketball team has begun the 2023-24 campaign on the right foot. After securing five-straight victories, the 'Jackets were aiming to make it six in a row as they welcomed UW-Stevens Point to Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium Saturday.
 
Despite the 'Jackets leading at halftime, the Pointers took control of the game and found themselves with their fourth win of the season, defeating the Yellowjackets 58-53 and snapping their undefeated streak.
 
The Yellowjackets opened the scoring with a jumper from Josef Fahrenholtz (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield), which was quickly followed up by a jumper from Seth Miron of UWSP. Teams would battle to take the lead and Reid Johnson (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield), J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel) and Fahrenholtz were there to lead the offensive charge.
 
The Pointers evened things up at 15-15, but the 'Jackets found the edge with another jumper from Fahrenholtz, as well as Evan Bennett (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) who drained a shot from downtown to allow a five point edge over UW-Stevens Point. Teams continued to trade points and the lead, as Seth Miron, Jake Buchanan and Josiah Butler aided the Pointers offensive efforts. Ty Melchert (Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Southwest) finished two jumpers inside the paint for a 32-27 lead before Fahrenholtz hit two jumpers out of three attempts to close the first half of play, with the Yellowjackets leading 36-31.
 
UWSP commenced the second half scoring courtesy of a jump shot from Cal Krohn, bringing the deficit to just three. Reid Johnson (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) drained a shot from downtown, which was followed by a Walker jump shot for a seven-point Yellowjacket lead. From here the Pointers fought for the lead and eventually snatched it, as Malik Abdul-Wahid along with Ryan Genrich and Josiah Butler each contributed jump shots to snag an 11-point lead at 53-42.
 
Play would commence as Slayton Stroschein (Alborn, Minn./South Ridge) would earn his first collegiate minutes, and he made the most of them. He would take a foul from Miron and drain both free throw attempts for his first collegiate points, then would follow that up with a steal which allowed T.J. Moberg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) to later capitalize on a fastbreak inside the paint for two points of his own. Walker would hit one of two free throws with nine seconds remaining, but the Pointers would still hold a five-point edge after time expired, winning the game 58-53.
 
Fahrenholtz led the 'Jackets with 17 points and ten rebounds, while Walker finished with 10 points and seven boards. The Pointers were paced offensively by Ryan Genrich (14), Malik Abdul-Wahid (13) and Josiah Butler (10).
 
The Yellowjackets will once again see non-conference action as they face Buena Vista on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The opening tipoff inside the Mertz is slated for 7 p.m.