Box Score

MAYVILLE, ND – The #23 Comets went back into action on Saturday at home versus Waldorf University in another NSAA contest. MSU won the previous night in a good battle against Viterbo and looked to sweep the weekend series over the visiting Warriors. 

In the first quarter, the Comets started things off with a three by Andi Gayner, but were quickly hit with three of Waldorf's own shots from behind the arc in the first two minutes of play. The team struggled to get some points on the board until the final minutes after Coach Hutter took a timeout at 4:43 left to play in the quarter. Gayner connected again down low and buckets by Kylee Heurung and Andrea Skillingstad helped close the gap within one, Comets down 12 to 13.  Waldorf came out with a surge of their own in the start of the second quarter, but were stunned by the Comets defense for over seven minutes of scoreless action for the Warriors. Cyan Hale began the push for the Comets with a three and two free throws, helping the Comets go on a 13-2 run to benefit their defensive efforts.  At the half, it was the Comets ahead in the game, 35 to 21. The Comets forced 17 turnovers in the half, ten of which were steals. 

It was more of the same thing in the second half, the full court pressure of the Comets kept the Warriors limited in their production. Fueled by Gayner, Sydney Gangl, and Heurung, the Comets jumped out again with a 14-6 scoring burst in the third quarter and kept the Warriors scoreless again for slightly over three minutes of play. It was a key factor in the game for the Comets, as they cruised onward for the rest of the game to a 74 to 54 victory over the Warriors. 

Coach Dennis Hutter was pleased with the performance tonight by the Comets. "It was nice to see us shoot the ball better. We did not get off to a good start but after the rough start, we pulled together. We really defended well for most of the game. It was nice to get the sweep this weekend."

Leading all scorers was Andi Gayner for the Comets with 23 points and 6 boards. She was 3-5 from behind the arc, 8-14 from the field, and 4-5 at the free throw line. She was followed by the Warriors' Michaela Graffunder, who poured in 16 for her team. Fellow Warrior teammate Angie Gore also had ten. Others scoring for the Comets were Andrea Skillingstad, Joelle Ertl, and Kylee Heurung with eight apiece. The Comets were 12-33 from behind the arc, 27 of 62 from the field. They were nearly perfect on free throws, shooting 8 for 9. Ertl and Heurung also had three steals each to lead their team. 

The #23 Comets improve to 13-4 overall, 5-2 in the NSAA, winning 5 out of their last 6 games. Their next home game will be this Tuesday evening, January 9th against Trinity Bible College, game time at 5:30pm.