The Mayville State University women's basketball team went 1-1 on the road this weekend in DAC Tip-Off play. The women's side of the DAC Tip-Off classic featured two top 25 ranked teams in Jamestown College and Valley City State along with the vote getting Comets.
The Comets began play on Saturday afternoon against the 13th ranked Vikings of Valley City State University. The Vikings brought a 15-3 record into the game while the Comets boasted a 15-1 record. The Mayville State Comets are averaging nearly 87 points per game on the year while the Valley City Vikings are averaging 71 points per game. The first half of play proved to be a defensive battle as both teams came out of the gates struggling to find their offensive rhythm. The lead changed throughout the first half of play with Valley City taking a 26-23 lead into the break.
In the second half of play, the offensive tempo of the game began to pick up in favor of the Comets as they began to settle into their groove. Both teams continued to trade baskets while exchanging leads of seven points. The Vikings appeared to be taking control of the game mid-way through the second half as they stretched their lead to seven before the Comets came storming back to tie the ball game once again. With about 2:30 left to play the Comets were hanging on to a six point lead when a couple of quick baskets by the Vikings cut the lead just one point with under a minute to play. After inbounding the basketball and breaking the Valley City full court pressure Hailey Longtin received a pass on the left wing where she calmly stroked a three point shot with 40 seconds left on the game clock to give the Comets a four point lead. This big shot would prove to be enough as the Comets were able to control the final seconds of the game and come away with a six point victory 65-59.
Marcisa McMillan, who leads the country in field goal percentage (65%), led the Comets in scoring with 16 points on 6-9 shooting including 1-2 from behind the arc and 3-4 from the free throw line. McMillan also led the Comets in rebounding as she pulled down 13 boards for an impressive double-double. Samantha Heier played an impressive game as she added 13 points of her own and dished out a game-high seven assists.
In the second night of play the Comets found themselves matched up against the 17th ranked Jimmies of Jamestown College. The first half of play proved to be different than night one as both teams were able to find a greater offensive rhythm. The teams traded baskets and leads during the first half and when the first twenty minutes came to an end the Jimmies took a 39-36 lead into the half time break.
In the second half of play the Jimmies continued to click on offense while the Comets slowed down and were not able to maintain the pace. Midway through the second half Jamestown College continued to knock down shots and slowly pulled away from Mayville State. When the final buzzer sounded Jamestown College finished with a 79-61 victory. Jamestown shot 39% overall from the field, 44% from behind the arc, and 90% from the free throw line.
The Comets were led in scoring by Angela Tauer and Marcisa McMillan who each put in 16 points. McMillan grabbed her second double-double of the weekend by pulling down 15 rebounds. Mayville State shot 31% overall from the field and 32% from behind the arc.
Mayville State will travel back to Jamestown this Thursday, January 24 to take on the Jimmies at 5:30 pm.
