Box Score

MAYVILLE, ND – On Wednesday evening, the Dakota State Trojans made a visit to Mayville State to take on the Comets inside the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse for teams' third matchup of the year. The Comets were the #4 seed hosting the #5 seed in the quarterfinal round of the NSAA Conference Tournament. The Comets got the best of Dakota State in both previous contests and were looking to make it a trifecta and move onward in the postseason. 

Dakota State came out on fire to start the game, jumping out to a 14-2 lead before the Comets started finding the bucket. The Trojans managed to pour in 19 within the first six minutes of the game, but hit a standstill as the Comets defense started to stiffen up. Andi Gayner helped the Comets keep it within reach as she had seven of the Comets' 13 points by quarter's end. The Comets were only down by 10 at that point. 

Mayille State fought back in the beginning of the second quarter with more tough defense and a 9-2 scoring run cut the Trojan lead to 4 in the first four minutes of the second quarter. DSU called a timeout at 5:51 to go in the half and then found their own rhythm finishing the quarter with a string of scoring, building their lead to eleven right before half. But, the Comets managed to get the last bucket with Andi Gayner putting a rebound back in with one second on the clock. Dakota State led at halftime, 38-29. 

The second half started with a 12-2 run for the Comets, Naomi Torgerson scoring seven on her own. She started the half with a bucket, then Karleigh Weber added on a 3-pointer. Torgerson followed that up with a three of her own and later added free throws to take the lead 41-40 for the Comets at the 6:54 mark. 

Dakota State was able to weather the scoring frenzy and battle back with a nice bucket by Jamie Tebben and a strong put back by Raven Patton to bring the Trojans back ahead, 50-48, but Andi Gayner answered that with two free throws right before a Comet timeout with four minutes in the third, things all tied at 50. Both teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the quarter with MSU heading into the fourth with a 57-55 lead.

Andi Gayner got things going again for the Comets in the fourth with a nice 3-point play to help build a quick 7-point lead after Joelle Ertl hit a pair of three throws to start the quarter. From there, the Mayville State defensive pressure forced some DSU turnovers that turned into quick points for the home team. Then Karleigh Weber was able to show her skills, the senior guard was able to hit some shots from deep to boost the Mayville State lead to 13 with six minutes left to play. 

The tough defensive pressure continued from Mayville State and the Trojans had a tough time mounting any sort of comeback. A Gayner 3-pointer with 2:30 to play built the Comet lead to 16, Dakota State battled down the stretch but the stingy defense and hot shooting from Mayville State was too much for the Trojans in the end. The Comets were able to run away with a win in the opening round of the NSAA conference tournament, putting away the Trojans, 83-68. 

Coach Hutter liked the way his team came to play tonight. "It was a night to lean on our two four-year seniors. Andi and Karleigh played very well. Our full-court press release really got to them in the second half. It was a good win. All you want to do this time of year is survive and advance."

Leading all scorers and with a career-high 37 was Andi Gayner, breaking her former high of 36 in her standout career as a Comet. Karleigh Weber quietly added in 19 of her own, fueled by 5-9 shooting from long range. Naomi Torgerson had 16, all in the second half. Gayner and Torgerson had six rebounds each, while Joelle Ertl had six assists to lead the Comets. 

Dakota State was had three players in double figures, Britey Plautz leading with 18, Kennedy Wagner with 17 and Jaime Tebben with 16. Plautz narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds to lead her team. 

After a hot first half, Dakota State went cold in the second with 28% shooting from the field, shooting 39% overall. The Comets had a reverse situation after a cold first half of their own, turning out a 48% effort in the second to finish the game with 40% shooting overall. Although they were out-rebounded by the Trojans 39 to 33, the Comets forced 21 turnovers while only committing 14 in the game and nabbing 14 steals overall, Ertl with four of them. 

Next action for the Comets will be against the University of Jamestown at Jamestown, ND on Saturday, Feb 24th. Game time to be determined.