Mayville, N.D. – The #11 ranked Mayville State University Comet were firing on all cylinders today as they rolled Dakota State University 102-74 in the NSAA semi-final game at the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. MSU raced out to an enormous lead in the first half thanks in part to 11-of-20 shooting from the three-point line.
Sabrina Rude had a major role in that aspect of the game. She knocked down five of her game-high six three-pointers in the opening half. She finished the game with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and one steal off the bench.
The Comets took the lead for good 90 seconds into the game and never looked back. They built their lead to as much as 43 points in the second half with a great team effort. MSU had 26 assists off 35 made baskets as the ball moved around well in the game.
The point guard duo of
Samantha Heier and
Kay Laforet collected the majority of the assists in this game. Heier finished with eight assists with Laforet right behind her with seven in the game. These two did a great job handling the ball and creating opportuniites for their teammates.
Hailey Longtin was also feeling it from downtown, connecting on 5-of-11 attempts from three-point land. She had a big night for Mayville State with 21 points and five rebounds. She shot the ball well at 7-for-15 from the field and converted both of her free throw attempts.
The biggest advantage MSU had in the game was in rebounding. The Comets outrebounded Dakota State 54-29. They crashed the boards hard and came up with loose balls as well as created extra possessions for themselves with 21 of those rebounds being offensive.
Marcisa McMillan had a big role in the rebounding edge with 24 points and 13 rebounds. She was getting it done from everywhere, whether it was inside, outside, or mid-range she couldn't be stopped. She shot 10-of-17 from the floor, 2-for-5 on three's, and 2-for-2 at the charity stripe.
MSU did a lot of things well in this game, but the best was probably free throw shooting. The Comets shot 18-for-20 at the line for a 90% clip in the contest.
#11 Mayville State (23-3, 7-1 NSAA) now advances to the NSAA conference championship game against the #3 ranked University of Jamestown (26-2, 7-1 NSAA) on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in Mayville at the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse.
