Box Score Orange City, Iowa - Comet Women's Basketball faced the #2 ranked Dordt Defenders for their final game at the Northwestern Classic. The Defenders managed to pull away in the second half to defeat the Comets 81-68, but not without a fight from the Mayville State.

Head coach Dennis Hutter said, "I thought we competed for the most part. We have to find a way to make more 'winning plays.' Rebounding, 50/50 balls are 'winning plays." We have to have that for 40 minutes if we want to consistently compete with the best in the country."

Mayville State jumped out to an early 5-1 lead but was held scoreless over the next four minutes as the Defenders scored 10 straight points to lead 11-5. The Comets responded with seven straight points of their own, capped by two free throws by Mackenzie Hughes to retake the lead 12-11.

Dordt managed a bucket just before the buzzer to take a two point lead after 10 minutes 19-17.

After a Jes Mertens trey to open the second quarter, the Defenders rattled off eight straight points to open up a 27-20 advantage. Dordt was able to maintain a 6-10 point lead through the rest of the quarter to go into halftime ahead 43-34.

"We have to learn that we can't just play hard, we need to compete every day in both practice and games," added Hutter.

Dordt scored the first seven points of the third quarter in an ominous start for the Comets. Shots were not falling as Mayville State only went 2 of 10 from the field in the third quarter, while the Defenders went 8 for 18, thanks to six offensive rebounds.

After three quarters of action, Dordt was ahead 61-43.

In the fourth quarter, the Defenders once again started hot, as they outscored the Comets 12-3 in the early going. The Comets finished strong, as they connected on four consecutive three pointers to end the game, including three straight by Taylor Dean, and made the final score 81-68.

Mertens led four Comets in double figures with 12, Jordan Zrust and Hughes each had 11 and Kayla Rocholl finished with 10. Zrust added seven rebounds and two blocks while Alex Page notched three steals.

"We will need contributions from everyone up and down our roster all season long. Good teams need multiple options at both ends of the floor. I feel we could be that kind of team," said Coach Hutter.

Hutter also added, "It was a good weekend for us from the aspect that we showed ourselves that we can compete with the top teams in the country when we stay focused and play hard consistently." 

The loss drops the Comets record to 4-1. Mayville State has an exhibition game with Bemidji State on Monday, then travels to Valley City Friday for the Dakota Clash, taking on Dickinson State on Friday and #16 Dakota State on Saturday.

For full schedule results visit: https://msucomets.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule