Mayville, N.D. – The Mayville State University Women's Basketball team advanced to the semi-finals of the NSAA Conference Tournament Tuesday defeating the Vikings 56-53. The Comets move to 14-7 on the regular season.

Both teams started the game shooting well, as 16 total points were scored in the first three minutes of the game. The Comets were up 10-8 before a 7-2 MSU run that lasted over the next few minutes to extend their lead to seven. Mayville State lead by three after the first quarter of play. Valley City outscored the Comets in the second quarter 13-10 to tie the game heading into the intermission. The Vikings finished the half on a 6-0 run to tie it at 29.

Mayville State started the third quarter on a 6-0 run, highlighted by Voegeli scored four points during that stretch. Valley City would answer with eight of their own and take a two-point lead with 3:34 left in the third quarter. MSU would tie it at 37 the next trip down but trailed by three heading into the final quarter. A 3-point bucket by the Vikings early in the fourth to extend their lead to six.

The Comets would score the next six-points and tie the game at 45. Mayville State had a three-point lead with 3:29 left in the game when the Vikings scored four consecutive points to take the lead with 2:20 left in the fourth quarter. MSU would take the lead back on the next possession on a field goal from Decker to give the Comets a one-point lead with 1:47 to go. Zrust made one free-throw with 1:25 to go in the game to tie the game at 53. The Comets would score the next three points in the game to take a 3-point lead with 11 seconds left.

Valley City State created an opportunity in the final seconds with a but missed and the Comets advance to the semi-finals by a final score of 56-53. The Comets shot 38.3 percent from the field, 18.2 percent from the 3-point line, tallied 43 rebounds and dished out nine assists. The Comets also finished with 11 points off turnovers, six second-chance points, and eight bench points.

Danneka Voegeli finished the game with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks for the Comets. Jordan Zrust finished with 14 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Erin Walcker was the last player in double figures for the Comets finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. CJ Decker and Sydney Magsam each tallied four points of the bench for the Comets.

The Comets advance to the semi-finals and will face the #1 seed Dakota State on Thursday evening. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm from Madison, South Dakota.