JAMESTOWN, N.D. – Mayville State University locked up with the Valley City State University Vikings for the fourth time this season in the semi-final round of the Association of Independent Institutions basketball championship at the Civic Center in Jamestown, N.D.

The Vikings came out firing from the three-point line led by Senior guard Courtney Titus. Titus knocked down 4-of-5 shots from beyond the arch in the first half to pace the Vikings to a 32-23 lead. Her hot shooting continued in the second half as she led the Vikings to a 76-66 victory over the Comets with a game high 24 points including 7-for-9 from the three point line.

The Comets struggled to get any offense going in the game shooting 40% from the floor (24-for-60) and  29% on 9-of-31 from the three point line. The Comets were led in scoring by Liza Hoglo with 18 points. Hoglo also grabbed 9 rebounds with coming off the bench for a good all-around effort.

The Comets made a game of it early in the second half cutting the lead to 41-39 before VCSU responded with an 19-1 run before eventually winning the contest 76-66. The Comets cut the lead again late applying a full court press but it was too little, too late as VCSU made their free throws (25-of-28) for an 89% clip.

The loss marks the second time in as many games for the Comets to Vikings as MSU (20-5) now awaits the final NAIA rankings to see if they will receive an at large bid to the NAIA national tournament in Sioux City, I.A. March 6-12.