DE PERE, Wis. – The Yellowjacket men's basketball team headed to St. Norbert College for the St. Norbert Nicolet National Bank Holiday Tournament and the 'Jackets had a tough opponent, opening play against the undefeated University of Dubuque Spartans. The back-and-forth battle was not enough for the Yellowjackets, falling to the Spartans 77-64.

The Yellowjackets started fast and opened up a 20-16 lead midway through the opening half, but then things turned south for the Yellowjackets. Dubuque would go on a 12-0 run and would build their largest lead of the game. Just before the end of the first half, Joey Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) would land a buzzer beater three-point shot, as the 'Jackets would start to close the gap, ending the first half down 43-29.

With a closer second half, the Yellowjackets gave a back-and-forth battle, and were able to battle back into the game and closed the gap to a five-point game, trailing 58-53 with less than nine minutes remaining in the game. Not being able close the gap any further, the Spartans would get the win with a final score of 64-77.

Reid Johnson (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) would net 14 points on the day, including hitting four three-point shots, to lead the Yellowjackets in scoring. J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel) added 13 points while Josef Fahrenholtz (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) scored 10.  

The Yellowjackets are back in action for day two of the tournament tomorrow, Dec. 30 for a 5 p.m. tipoff against Olivet.