SUPERIOR, Wis. – For the last 14 seasons, the Yellowjacket men's basketball team has hosted the Merrill Thompson Classic as the team's opening event. Friday marked day one of the two-day tournament, as the Yellowjackets took on Marian in the nightcap.
 
The opening game of the tournament saw St. Olaf and UW-Stout duke it out, resulting in the Oles emerging victorious over the Blue Devils by a 61-56 decision. The Yellowjackets and Sabres followed, displaying a fast-paced, physical contest for much of the game. Despite outscoring Marian in the second half, the 'Jackets suffered their first loss of 2024-25 by a 61-53 decision.
 
Game Notes

• The early stages of the game saw both teams neck-and-neck, which began with Andrew Beers (Slinger, Wis./Slinger) finishing a layup after a Sabre jumper. As teams traded points and the lead, Marian scored nine unanswered points to lead by eight at 17-9.
• J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel) broke the scoreless streak after taking a foul by former teammate Eli  Vogel. He would begin to heat up with a slew of jumpers, but Marian began to fire back and led 32-22 entering halftime.
• After the break, the Sabres' lead dwindled to seven after T.J. Moberg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) drew a foul and nailed both free throws and Joey Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) did the same.
• The Yellowjackets were down by 12 (38-26) in the early stages of the second half, but Reid Johnson (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) and Walker helped stir up a comeback, finishing jumpers and free throws before giving way to Barker, Ty Melchert (Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Southwest) and Andrew Kunelius (Caledonia, Minn./Caledonia) who drew the 'Jackets within six at 45-39.
• This prompted a slew of fouls to be called within the final five minutes of play. Walker would take a foul and finish his free throws, but the Sabres would do the same and extend their lead. Both squads traded fouls and free throws in the waning moments of the game, but the Yellowjackets would fall 61-53 in their home opener.
• Superior was led by Walker, who scored 20 points and added five rebounds. The only other Yellowjacket in double-figure points was Johnson with 11.
• Barker led the defensive efforts, grabbing 11 rebounds on his night.
• Brandon Adorno and Trey Jenkins finished with 18 and 12 points for Marian, respectively.

 
UWS returns to the court for the final day of the Merrill Thompson Classic Saturday, taking on St. Olaf Saturday at 3 p.m. inside the Mertz.
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