RIVER FALLS, Wis. – Tuesday the Yellowjacket men's basketball team was back in action, taking on the Falcons of UW-River Falls in the final game of the Radisson Holiday Classic Tournament. UW-Superior is coming off the heels of dropping a close contest to UW-Stout, while the Falcons emerged victorious over the Saints of St. Scholastica.
 
For the final game of the 2024 calendar year, the hardwood saw a first half beginning with a bit of a scoring drought. Past the midway of the first half, the Falcons began to find their groove after taking advantage of Superior's miscues, garnering an 11-point lead after the first 20 minutes. The 'Jackets came as close as seven points on multiple occasions, but the Falcons earned the tournament sweep with a 59-51 win on their home court.
 
Game Notes

• The Yellowjackets got started with a layup from Rocco Paulson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East), who received a pass from J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel). Neither team could score for the next three minutes until Jack Leifker finished a layup, which was followed up by a midrange jumper from T.J. Moberg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park).
• Hayden Quimby (Menasha, Wis./Xavier) logged a shot beyond the arc to tie things up at 9-9, but UW-River Falls turned it on from there. Zac Johnson, Jacob Butler and Gavin Ralph led the offensive output for the Falcons.
• Walker sent a feed to Evan Bennett (Superior, Wis./Superior) as he hit a long ball, but UWRF responded in their next possession. Walker converted on back-to-back layup attempts, while Joey Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) hit a jumper at the buzzer to bring Superior within 11 at 30-19.
• Superior saw points from Walker and Barker early into the second half, but the tournament-hosts kept chugging right along. Max Briggs (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) hit a three to trail 43-32 before the 'Jackets came within nine.
• Bennett hit a layup to bring the game to 57-51, but a late foul saw Butler go to the line and drain both attempts to secure the win.
• Finishing with 14 points was Walker, while Barker and Bennett each contributed eight points. Paulson grabbed eight boards in the contest.

 
UWS returns to the hardwood Wednesday, Jan. 8 as they host North Central to commence its conference schedule. The opening tipoff inside Mertz Mortorelli Gym is set for 5:30 p.m.
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