MANKATO, Minn. – Saturday saw a rematch of the 2023-24 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) title game between the Yellowjacket men's basketball team and the Vikings of Bethany Lutheran College. Superior began the second half of the season at home and snuck past North Central for their first league victory, while BLC fell to Northwestern in their opener.
The Vikings looked to be in control from the start of both halves in the league's game of the week, but the 'Jackets got their second wind and pushed past the Vikings by a score of 84-80 inside North Gymnasium.
Reid Johnson (Chatfield, Minn./Chatfield) put together another strong offensive showing on the hardwood. After posting a career-high 33 points Wednesday he shot 58% from the field, leading Superior with 30 points.
Game Notes
- Bethany Lutheran scored the first five points in the contest and ended up with a 13-point cushion to begin the game. T.J. Moberg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park), alongside Rocco Paulson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) and Johnson would bring the 'Jackets within three at 18-15 midway through the first half.
- Evan Bennett (Superior, Wis./Superior) logged a jumper after receiving an assist from Max Briggs (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy), but the Vikings regained control until Joey Barker (Superior, Wis./Superior Senior) finished the steal-and-score fastbreak layup and Andrew Kunelius (Caledonia, Minn./Caledonia) knocked down back-to-back threes to knot things up at 29-29.
- Both teams traded the advantage late into the half, but the Vikings headed into halftime with a two-point edge at 40-38.
- BLC utilized an 11-5 run to regain control, but the 'Jackets stayed within striking distance with efforts from Johnson, Barker, Andrew Beers (Slinger, Wis./Slinger) and J'Vaun Walker (Rosharon, Texas/Manvel).
- Superior came within one on multiple occasions, and ultimately tied it up after Walker drew a foul and converted on the three-point play at 6:33.
- Moberg took a feed from Bennett and hit a shot beyond the arc that gave UWS the lead, allowing the Yellowjackets to push the pace in the final minutes of play.
- The Vikings took advantage of Yellowjacket fouls to regain the lead for a moment. BLC were forced to foul within the final minute, but the Yellowjackets were 4-4 from the line which aided their efforts to win 84-80.
- Johnson hit four-of-seven threes for the 'Jackets Saturday, pacing the offensive output.
- Moberg and Barker also finished in double digit figures, picking up 18 and 10, respectively.
- UWS shot 49.2 percent from the field, compared to the Vikings' 42.6.
- All five starters for BLC ended with at least 10 points. Jack Brockmann ended with a double-double, garnering 11 points and 10 rebounds on the afternoon.
- The 'Jackets took advantage of opposing turnovers, scoring 21 points compared to BLC's five.
The Yellowjackets (5-8, 2-0 UMAC) are set to host Northland College Wednesday in UMAC play. The opening tip is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside the Mertz.
