Coming off their 2-0 start last weekend, the Mayville State Comets Men's Basketball squad traveled north to take in the first of 2 games up in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Friday night. They took part in the University of Winnipeg Wesmen Preseason Invite, taking on the University of Manitoba Bisons in a very close battle, falling shy by just one point in the loss. On Saturday night, they played the host team, the University of Winnipeg, and fell short in that contest as well. Since both were played under FIBA rules, the games were exhibition. 

Against U-Manitoba, the Comets took the lead after the first quarter, 20-13. The Bisons turned the tide a bit and outscored the Comets 28 to 14 in the second quarter, giving them a 3 point edge at the half. Even though the Comets slightly outscored Manitoba in each quarter of the second half, they came up just shy in the 80 to 81 loss. Gorg Alhag and Daniel Lindgren each poured in 23 points, tying a game-high with U-Manitoba's Rashawn Browne. Lindgren was 3-4 from behind the arc and shot 10-14 from the floor, he alsoled the team in rebounds with 6, followed by teammates Eric Staebler and Kentrey Bynum with 6 apiece as well. The Comets didn't start the first half well in shooting from the field at 35%, but turned it around with 58% in the second half as they made their run against the Bisons. It was a close battle of the boards as well, as each team had 44 rebounds total: the Comets with 37 on defense and 7 on offense. Manitoba had the edge in offensive boards with 13. 

Saturday's game against the U-Winnipeg Wesmen saw the Comets fall behind in the early quarters and end up shy once again near the end. Mayville State was down by 10 after the first quarter, and the score difference was relatively the same at the half as each squad only produced 12 and 11 points in the second quarter. The Comets once again turned it up in the second half and whittled away at the deficit, outscoring the Wesmen 22 to 14 in the third quarter to reduce their lead down to 3. They were able to get it to within one point with 2:37 to go in the game, but were unable to hold off a 9-0 run that the Wesmen finished things out on, falling 77 to 67 in the end.  Turnovers were a big factor, as the Comets committed 14 and only forced 8 from U-Winnipeg. Gorg Alhag and Eric Staebler each had 14 to lead the Comets. 

Next action for the 2-0 Comets will be hosting Oak Hills Christian College at home on Tuesday, October 30th at 7:30 p.m.