EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Yellowjacket men's basketball team continued its non-conference slate Saturday, traveling to the newly constructed Sonnentag Center to take on the Blugolds of UW-Eau Claire. Superior entered the contest with a three-game losing streak and aimed to snap the skid against UWEC.
The Blugolds, however, are riding a four-game winning streak.
UWEC took control early in the first half, but the 'Jackets engineered a comeback to lead at the break. The second half was anyone's game until the Blugolds hit a late three pointer to lead 68-66 with a minute remaining, but a late tip-in from the Yellowjackets forced overtime. From there Eau Claire took the lead and held on for an 81-75 victory.
Game Notes
- The Blugolds took an early 7-0 lead before UWS opened its scoring. Andrew Kunelius (Caledonia, Minn./Caledonia) hit a layup to get the 'Jackets going before Joey Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) logged a layup of his own at 15-6.
- UW-Superior began to make up ground as J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel) logged a midrange jumper midway through the first, cutting the deficit down to eight at 24-16. He later hit a shot beyond the arc before Kunelius nailed a three pointer at 30-25.
- Shortly after, Barker sent a feed to Walker as he nailed a three pointer to come within one at 35-34, then Walker was sent to the line after drawing a foul. The 'Jackets took the lead after he sunk both attempts, and he would end the half with another shot beyond the arc, scoring the team's last 11 points of the opening 20 minutes.
- UWEC tied things up a few minutes into the second half, and teams would volley points and the lead until Hayden Quimby (Menasha, Wis./Xavier) took a feed from T.J. Moberg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) and finished a layup inside the paint at 49-46.
- Play continued and both teams stayed within striking distance until the waning minutes of the game, as the Blugolds hit a late trey before Ty Melchert (Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Southwest) grabbed a wayward three pointer and tipped it in to force overtime.
- At 68-68, both teams traded a combination of layups and jumpers until the Blugolds were able to build a five-point cushion at 76-71. Reid Johnson (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) brought things within two points at 77-75 with a three pointer, but back-to-back fouls by the Yellowjackets allowed UWEC to take a six-point lead and ultimately win by an 81-75 decision.
- Walker spearheaded the offense with 27 points. He also added three rebounds and steals in 34 minutes of play.
- UWS posted a field goal and three-point percentage of 50% in the first half, ending the game with 42.9 and 35.0 percentages, respectively.
- Eau Claire had four players in double-digit figures, including Cade Hall who registered a double-double.
The Yellowjackets (3-5) have a week off before hitting the road to face Buena Vista. The opening tipoff inside Siebens Fieldhouse is set for Dec. 14 at 3 p.m.
