Men’s basketball team gets first win over Division II UMD

11/30/2009
By Travis Dedina
Staff Writer

The UW-Superior Men’s basketball team had a dominant showing across the bridge November 24 as they pulled out a 93-80 win over the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.

Jake Smith paced the ‘Jackets with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists. Following Smith for the hot shooting ‘Jackets (55.8% as a team) was Dan Culy. The junior guard scored 19 points, with nine of those coming from beyond the arc.

The ‘Jackets took quick 5-4 lead over the Bulldogs early in the first half. Their lead increased to 15-4 after a 10-0 run as the ‘Jackets forced the Bulldogs to turn the ball over three times and caused a missed jumper over a two minute span in the first half. The ‘Jackets ended the half with a comfortable 44-33 lead.

The Yellowjackets continued their hot shooting in the second half as they held a double-digit lead throughout the second half and pushed their lead to 26 with 9:29 left.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Yellowjackets. Sophomore Center Ben Aalfs put an exclamation mark on the win with a fast break slam with just over a minute remaining in the game.