Sioux City, IA -- The Comet women have again achieved a "first" in program history. With an 86-82 victory over Cornerstone University, the Comets won their first ever national tournament game.

This game was a rollercoaster in every sense of the word. Cornerstone raced out to a 22 point first half lead at 26-4 with 12:37 remaining in the opening 20 minutes. It was looking grim for the Comets early as everything they put up was rimming out while Cornerstone was knocking down open shots.

The Comets chipped away at the Golden Eagles lead to go into halftime with their early 22 point deficit down to just 10 points at 31-41.

As the second half got underway, MSU continued to slowly work themselves back into the game with the one thing that escaped them in the first half, the NSAA MVP, Marcisa McMillan. The All-American post player made her presence felt with 20 of her game-high 26 points coming in the second half.

A couple early baskets drew attention to her which allowed the Comets three-point shooting get going. Back-to-back three's by Hailey Longtin and Liza Hoglo made it a one possession game at 47-44 with 15:08 remaining.

MSU got within a point on three separate occasions from there, but was answered by the Golden Eagles to keep them at bay.

Sabrina Rude tied the game for the Comets when she made one of her six three's in the game. With 13:03 remaining we were all square at 54-54. The next possession was key for the Comets.

Liza Hoglo converted a shot from the paint for the Comets' first lead of the game at 56-54 with 12:28 left. This was key because it was the only lead change in the game. 

McMillan put her stamp on this game as she scored the next eight points for Mayville State from all areas of the floor. The NSAA MVP was doing a little bit of everything in this game.

Rude knocked in two more three's from there to keep the Golden Eagles comeback attempts at arms length to keep the Comets ahead 70-62 with 7:24 remaining. Cornerstone was not ready to throw in the towel just yet and gave one final push to advance to the Sweet 16.

Ashley Niedermeyer split a pair of free throws and followed it with a traditional three-point play the following possession to draw the Eagles within four points at 70-66.

McMillan answered with another basket on the next possession, but was countered by two more Niedermeyer free throws.

The Golden Eagles got within two at 72-70 after Janae Trombley knocked down two free throws with 6:03 remaining.

After a missed three-point shot from Jill Steenwyk, Hoglo drew a foul on the defensive rebound and knocked down two free throws. McMillan split a pair of free throws a few possessions later to get the Comets back up by five points, 75-70.

Steenwyck answered again with a basket, only to be countered by McMillan as the lead stayed at five points. One more three by Rude put the Comets up seven points, 80-73, with 3:14 left.

The teams traded baskets one more time before Hoglo gave the Comets their biggest lead of the game, 84-75 with 1:16 remaining with two free throws.

Katelyn Cousins kept the Comets on edge with two cold-blooded three-pointers to bring the Golden Eagles within three points, 84-81 with 17 seconds remaining.

Kay Laforet and McMillan each split a pair of free throws down the stretch for the final Mayville State points of the game. The Comets wrapped up the comeback with an 86-82 final score and can put their first national tournament game victory in the record books.

McMillan led the Comets with 26 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks. She was 12-for-18 from the floor and 2-for-4 at the charity stripe.

Rude had another huge game off the bench for Mayville State with 21 points on 6-of-17 shooting. She also pulled down seven rebounds, had two assists, and one steal for the Comets. 

Hoglo played a good game as well with 14 points and nine rebounds on 4-of-9 shooting. She was 5-for-7 at the foul line, cashing in on big free throw attempts down the stretch.

Longtin was the fourth Comet to hit double figures with 12 points on 4-for-13 shooting. She also came up with three steals, two assists, and a rebound in the game.

Samantha Heier played another solid game for Mayville State, handling the full-court pressure of the Golden Eagles all game long. She scored nine points, had seven assists, three rebounds, and had one steal in the game. 

Next up for Mayville State (25-3, 7-1 NSAA) is a match-up with the College of the Ozarks (23-9, 10-4 MCAC). Game is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. tomorrow (Friday, March 14, 2014) at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, IA.