MAYVILLE, N.D. – The Comet men's basketball team returned to the Lewey Lee Fieldhouse on Thursday night for a match-up with the Finlandia University Lions. After a slow start offensively and 17 point halftime deficit, the Comets mounted a second half comeback. It fell just short as MSU lost to the Lions 57-54.
It really was a tale of two halves as the Comets offense was slow out of the gate and found themselves looking up at a 17 point halftime deficit.
MSU slowly chipped away at the lead in the second half with
David Hicks,
Michael Lindsay, and
Alex Herman coming up with big plays down the stretch.
Lindsay hit a three point shot with just over 4 minutes remaining to get the lead under 10 points at 51-
44.
Andrew Berge got a putback basket shortly after to keep the deficit at seven points.
Herman stepped up and made a big three point shot from the wing to draw the Comets within four with two minutes to go. MSU was trailing 53-49.
After a Lions bucket to give them a six point advantage at 55-49
David Hicks made an off balance shot on a drive to the basket while being fouled. He missed the free throw but a great hustle play by
Adam Edwards to get the offensive rebound set up Herman one more time from the wing and he knocked it down. The Comets trailed 55-54 with just under a minute to play.
On the ensuing possession the Lions drew a foul on Hicks, his fifth of the game. He went to the bench with a team-high 11 points.
The Lions split the free throws and called a timeout with a two point lead. The Comets were unable to tie the game on the following possession and were forced to foul again. The Lions gave the Comets one last chance by splitting the free throws.
MSU dribbled the ball to half court and called a timeout with 3 seconds remaining. Herman got a touch but was defended well and didn't have a clean look at the basket. His last second shot fell just short as time expired and the Comets dropped their first regular season game of the 2013-14 season.
Hicks led the team with seven rebounds in the game.
Charlton Wilson and Lindsay followed with six each.
The Comets (3-1) will play next Monday, November 25, 2013 in Aberdeen, SD to take on the Northern State University Wolves in an exhibition contest.
