STORM LAKE, Iowa (Dec. 14, 2024) - The Buena Vista men's basketball team stepped outside of conference play on Saturday afternoon to host the University of Wisconsin-Superior inside of Siebens Fieldhouse, and it was a key 12-2 run midway through the second half that helped lift the Beavers to a 69-58 win over the Yellowjackets.

BVU held a 37-26 lead at the half and pushed the margin up to 12 at 43-31 after a three-point trey from senior Zane Neubaum. The Yellowjackets did keep within striking distance and cut the deficit down to six on multiple occasions, including at 49-43 with 10:24 remaining. A layup from Sievers then sparked a pivotal 12-2 spurt by the Beavers which was capped by a long range basket from senior Simon Daniel that gave the team its largest lead of the day at 61-45 with 4:30 to go.

Four straight points from UW-S kept the Yellowjackets from getting blown out as the two teams virtually traded baskets down the stretch.

The Beavers made 12 first half field goals and were aided by seven of those coming from downtown (7-of-17) as they built their double digit halftime cushion. The Yellowjackets shot 45 percent from the field in the opening half but were held to just 2-of-7 from distance.

BVU cooled off to a 3-of-12 clip from beyond the arc in the second half but was able to get to the free-throw line and make 9-of-11 to finish the game at 15-for-17 overall.

The game was just the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs, and BVU improves to 2-0 in games played in Storm Lake.

Sievers led the way for the Beavers with 12 points as Daniel followed with 10. Sophomore Kyle Sternberg chipped in with nine points and seven rebounds. Graduate student Zane Neubaum was held to single digits for the first time this season at eight points, but did grab four rebounds, dished out three assists, had two blocks and a pair of steals.

The Yellowjackets (3-6) got a game-high 15 points from J'Vaun Walker while Joey Barker added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Buena Vista improves to 5-4 and heads south to Texas for a pair of non-conference games next week. The Beavers will play at Austin on Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. and at the University of Dallas on Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.