Men's Basketball 12/15/2012 10:29:00 PM Marcus Hagness - Sports Information

Comet Men Lose Nail-Biter in Overtime to Dakota State 82-81

December 15, 2012

MAYVILLE, N.D. – Steven Ivory Jr. had a game high 28 points and 10 rebounds in the Comets first conference game of the season on Saturday night against Dakota State University. Ivory's big night wasn't enough as the Trojans escaped the Lewey Lee Fieldhouse with a narrow 82-81 victory in overtime.

The two teams only tied each other twice in the game but the lead changed hands seven different times.

Mayville State came out firing in the first half as they built an early lead and went into the locker room up 42-29 at the break.

The Trojans did not waste much time in the second half getting back into the game as they went on a 25-9 run and took the lead with just over ten minutes left to play. The Trojans biggest advantage was production off the bench as they outscored the Comets 40-14 with their second unit.

The two teams kept the game close as the second half went on. The Comets found themselves down 68-64 with just over a minute left to play. Mike Lindsay got a swing pass from Ivory and nailed a three from the top of the key to cut the lead to one point.

The Trojans answered back with a basket by Yusef Vinson with 26 seconds left in the game. The Comets got those two back on the ensuing possession when Ivory made a basket in the lane to pull the Comets back within one point at 70-69 with 10 seconds left to play.

The Comets were forced to foul on the following possession and Terrell Newton sank both free throws to give the Trojans a 72-69 lead. With no timeouts remaining, the Comets got the ball inbounded and looked for a shooter to get open on the wing. Ivory got the ball from Lindsay on the left side past half court and shot a deep desperation three that fell through the net as time expired. The two teams needed five more minutes to decide a winner.

In the overtime the Trojans got a quick basket right away to take a two point lead. After a few minutes of back and forth the Trojans scored again and looked ready to put the Comets away. Ivory got an offensive rebound and was fouled on the following possession, but was hurt in the process. Lindsay made the two free throws as Ivory went off the floor for a minute. The Comets were back in the game down two points, 76-74.

Vinson made another basket on the next possession to give the Trojans a four point lead again.

The Trojans then made two free throws after the Comets failed to score and led the game 80-74 with under a minute left.

Sam Hyman made a pull up jumper to pull the Comets back within four, 76-80.

The Trojans turned the ball over on the following possession and Ivory made a baseline jumper to pull the team back within two, 80-78.

Similar to the end of regulation the Trojans had the lead with less than ten seconds to play and were headed to the free throw line. John Lamb made both free throws to extend their lead to 82-78.

It was good for the Trojans that he made both. Austin Emerson made a deep three as time expired as the Comets lost 82-81.

Mayville State had four players hit double digit scoring tonight. After Ivory Jr.'s big game the Comets got 17 points and five rebounds from Lindsay in a nice game for him.

Emerson and Hyman each added 14 points for the Comets and Cody Coauette rounded out the scoring with eight points.

Emerson led the team with five assists.

The Comets shot 50% from the floor (30-for-60) and 40% from the three-point line (10-for-25).

The next game for the Comets(4-7) (0-1) will be on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 as Coach DeWitt returns to Aberdeen, SD for a match-up with his alma mater, Northern State University. Coach DeWitt played basketball for the Wolves from 2004-2008 under legendary coach Don Meyer.

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