Comet women defeat University of Minnesota-Morris 103-99 in double overtime

November 27, 2012

MAYVILLE, N.D. – Sabrina Rude scored 24 points on 50% shooting (8-for-16) and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Comets won in overtime. Rude was on fire from the three point line going 50% from there (7-for-14) as she led the offense in scoring. She also grabbed three steals and had three assists in the game.

The Comets went back and forth with their counterparts, the Cougars from the opening tip.

Mayville State turned up their aggression in the second half as they shot 21 of their 25 free throws after the break. Mayville State as a team shot 80% from the free throw line (20-for-25) doing a great job staying aggressive and going to the rim.

Mayville State looked to put the game away late in the second half with an eight point lead with two minutes to go. Some timely three point shooting by the Cougars kept them in it and a buzzer-beater from Emily Mehr with 1.2 seconds to go in regulation sent the game to its first overtime. Mehr led all scorers with 35 points.

Both teams got their offenses going in the first overtime. Mehr fouled out of the game on a loose ball rebound and had to sit and watch from the sidelines. Samantha Heier came alive in the first overtime with six points and an assist in the first of two extra sessions.

The Cougars had a look at the basket for the win in the first overtime but the shot was missed by Kendra Wycoff and the teams went to a second overtime.

The Comets relied on their free throw shooting in the second overtime. Kay Laforet made two, followed by Heier to ge the Comets going in overtime.

With the Comets leading 98-97 with 37.1 seconds left they were looking to extend their lead and not give the Cougars a shot to win. Hailey Longtin was off on a three, and Missy Kassube couldn't get the second effort to fall before Sabrina Rude grabbed the rebound and put in the third effort to give the Comets a 100-97 lead.

Angela Tauer grabbed a tough rebound off a missed three on the following possession and was fouled. Tauer missed the first double bonus free throw, but the second shot went down to give the team a four point lead at 101-97 with 13 seconds left to play.

The Cougars converted a two point shot on the next possession leaving six seconds left to play. Longtin got the ball off the inbound and was immediately fouled. With a 101-99 lead and six seconds left on the clock, Longtin calmly sank both free throws to give the Comets a 103-99 lead to secure the victory.

As a team the Comets had five players score in double figures. After Rude (24) was Marcisa McMillan with another solid game. McMillan scored 16 points and had a game-high 12 rebounds. McMillan also finished the game with two assists, two blocks, and one steal.

Samantha Heier and Hailey Longtin both played well chipping in with 14 points each. Heier led the team in assists collecting eight in the game. She did a great job driving to the line, drawing a defender, and finding her open teammates with good, clean passes.

Missy Kassube was the final Comet in double figures with 12 points off the bench. Kassube's hustle was on display as she came away with five offensive rebounds to create extra possessions for Mayville State.

Liza Hoglo and Kay Laforet both had good games coming off the bench for the Comets chipping in with eight points apiece. Laforet also dished out five assists in her first game since getting hurt against the University of North Dakota on November 6, 2012 in Grand Forks, N.D.

Mayville State University (7-1) will not be in action again until December 7, 2012 when they have their second meeting with these same Minnesota-Morris Cougars. The Comets were set to play Crossroads College on Saturday, December 1, 2012 in Mayville, N.D. but the game has been cancelled.