The Comet men's basketball team faced a must-win game with their rival, Valley City State University in their home finale. It was also "Senior Night" for Mayville State University as they honored the lone senior on the team,
Bryen Pyles.
Pyles played a game he will not soon forget in his final game at the Lewey Lee Fieldhouse. The guard from The Bronx, NY scored 15 points, grabbed four rebounds and had an assist in the Comets 66-64 nail-biter with the Vikings. Pyles did a great job handing the physical Viking defense and making things happen for the team.
Leading the Comets in scoring was
Gus Kueber. Kueber scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He also had three assists and three blocks. His two biggest plays of the game came in the final five seconds. Kueber blocked a Valley City shot attempt to tie the game which landed out of bounds with one second left. The Vikings struggled to get the ball in play and Kueber came up with another block on the final play of the game, securing the win.
Right out of the gate the Comets were not playing well. Down 35-24 at halftime, it looked like the Vikings were going to steal one on the road. The Comets started hitting shots in the second half, converting 10-of-21 chances and defending much better.
The Comets went from down 13 to up nine in what seemed like a few minutes. With under eight minutes to go in the game the Comets and Vikings were battling back and forth for the lead. The game was very hard fought and physical.
Cody Aassness did nothing but knock down huge shots for the Comets in this game. The guard made two shots from the three-point line and four free throws including two with under twenty second left to give Mayville State a three-point lead.
Aasness finished the game with 10 points, four rebounds and an assist.
The Comets hot shooting from beyond the arch was a big key in this game. Mayville State was 8-for-16 from out there while the Vikings made just 3-of-11.
This win moves the Comets up to 13-14 on the season and puts them in the postseason A.I.I. tournament.
