Box Score BEMIDJI, MN – The MSU Lady Comets went to Bemidji State in Bemidji, MN to face the Beavers in another exhibition battle this season on Saturday. The Comets traded the lead with the Beavers near the end of the game, with the Beavers able to escape with the win.

The Beavers started things off in the first quarter with a 9-2 run, only to see that lead evaporate as the Comets went on a 12-4 spurt, fueled by a mix of free throws, 3's, and layups. It was pretty even at the end of the 1^st as the score read 14-13 in the Comets favor. As the second quarter began, it took a while before some long bombs from Karleigh Weber lifted the Comets to a 24-20 lead, keeping the Beavers at bay with only 10 points in the quarter, finishing the half going into the locker room, 28-22.

Third quarter action saw the Comets keep climbing up on the Beavers, outscoring them 17-12. Six Comets rounded out the scoring effort in the quarter to build their lead up to 11, 45-34. However, the Beavers kept attacking, going on a 22 to 10 run with 2:03 left to play when BSU's Brooklyn Bachman made a layup to take the lead, 56-55. The Comets were able to tie it all up at 61 with a Joelle Ertl 3 pointer, hit with 32 seconds to go. Free throws in the end became the deciding factor, as BSU's Maria Appicelli lifted the Beavers ahead by two, and the Comets' Andi Gayner was only able to go 1 of 2 down the stretch. The score at the end was in favor of the Beavers, 63-62.

Despite the tough loss, Coach Dennis Hutter was proud of his team after the game. "We played really well for 3 quarters, however we could not find a way to make enough plays in the end to win the game. I'm very proud of how hard our kids played and competed against a Division II opponent. We just have to find a way to close out games better."

BSU's Brooklyn Bachman led all scorers with 21, followed by the Comets own Andi Gayner, who had a double-double performance with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Joelle Ertl also poured in 13 points of her own. Bemidji State gained the overall edge in rebounds, 51 to the Comets 40. It really became a battle at the free throw line, as the Comets sunk 17 of 22 from the stripe and the Beavers went 19-26.

Next up for the 5-1 Comets will be this Tuesday night at Home against the University of Minnesota-Morris, game time at 5:30pm at the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse.