Butch McCartney

The men’s basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat UW-Superior 66-61 Wednesday night at Zorn Arena.

The win gave the Blugolds a perfect 3-0 record in the WIAC, equaling their conference win total for last season.

“When you play Superior, it’s going to be a rugged, physical, in-your-face type of basketball game,” coach Terry Gibbons said. “I thought our kids were ready and played some smart basketball.”

The Blugolds didn’t take the lead until sophomore point guard Dan Archambault hit a three-pointer at the 8 minute, 35 second mark of the first half to make the score 15-14. After that, the Blugolds never trailed.

“We’ve been getting out of the gates kind of late,” sophomore Will Jefferson said. “We’ve got to be a little more mentally prepared, especially at home.”

Archambault led the Blugolds with 19 points. Senior guard Jason Larson added 13 points.

Sophomore forward Nate Beck also reached double figures with 10 points.

Larson struggled from the field, going 5-17, but still managed to achieve an impressive career milestone.

Larson’s jump shot early in the game made him the 36th player in Blugold history to score 1,000 points.

The Blugolds dominated much of the second half and held a double digit lead from the 9:06 mark to the 3:05 mark.

Superior then gave the Blugolds a scare by draining some three-pointers. The Yellowjackets even cut the lead to two, 61-59, with 18 seconds remaining.

After that, sophomore guard Casey Drake was fouled and made his first free throw.

Drake missed the second free throw, but senior forward Andy Witte tipped in the miss to give the Blugolds a five-point, two-possession lead.

With the win, the Blugolds atoned for a 68-51 loss Jan. 23 at Superior in the last meeting between the two teams.

Superior fell to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the WIAC.