Yellowjackets Overcome Slow Start To Defeat Titans

Adam Hjelter scored 16 points, including a tiebreaking three-pointer, as UW-Superior registered a 71-64 triumph over the UW-Oshkosh men's basketball team on Wednesday (Jan. 4) in Kolf Sports Center.

After the Titans (4-9/0-4 WIAC) led for the majority of the first half, the Yellowjackets (9-5/3-2 WIAC) equaled the score at 40 with 15 minutes left. Hjelter then drained a deep jumper that gave UW-Superior a lead it would never surrender. Ben Aalfs, who marked game-highs of eight rebounds and six assists, added another three-point basket soon after to extend the Yellowjackets' cushion.

Making 6-of-7 shots from the field, Hjelter came off the bench to also tally two assists and one steal. The Yellowjackets had three other double-figure scorers as Aalfs counted 12 points, Bronson Byrne 14 and Brendan Bauer 12. Bauer also contributed eight rebounds and one steal.

The Titans were strong out of the gate, posting a 12-2 advantage after five minutes of action. Jade Royston (So. • Wisconsin Dells) connected from three-point range, and Dylan Wurtz (So. • Kimberly) swished three more deep jumpers to put UW-Oshkosh ahead 22-15 with 8:29 on the clock.

UW-Superior, which defeated UW-Oshkosh for the fourth time in five meetings, closed the gap on 10 straight points by Bauer. Bauer converted three jump shots and two lay-ups to cut the Yellowjackets' deficit to 27-25. UW-Oshkosh held a 30-28 lead at intermission.

The Yellowjacket comeback utilized 60.7 percent (17-28) shooting from the field in the second half. Following a three-point basket by Aalfs, Hjelter converted a three-point play to put UW-Superior ahead 49-44. John Flanigan (Sr. • Oshkosh) would hit a jumper and two free throws to make it 61-59 with four minutes remaining, but the Titans couldn't finish their comeback bid.

Flanigan led UW-Oshkosh with 22 points. He made 9-of-12 shots from the field and all four free throws while grabbing four rebounds and dishing off three assists. The Titans also received 13 points, three rebounds and three steals from Greg Schrimpf (Sr. • Manitowoc), 11 points and two rebounds from Wurtz and eight points, six rebounds and three assists from Chad Mathwig (Fr. • New Berlin).

UW-Oshkosh shot 39.3 percent (22-56) from the field, including 36.4 (8-22) behind the three-point arc. The Titans made 12 of their 13 free throws for 92.3 percent accuracy. UW-Oshkosh collected 25 rebounds and turned the basketball over 10 times.

UW-Superior finished the contest shooting 52.7 percent (29-55) from the field. The Yellowjackets shot 31.6 percent (6-19) behind the three-point arc and 77.8 percent (7-9) from the charity stripe. UW-Superior grabbed 35 rebounds and committed 12 turnovers.

UW-Oshkosh looks to bounce back against UW-La Crosse on Saturday (Jan. 7) in Kolf Sports Center.