Morris, Minn. - The Comets Men's Basketball team traveled to Morris on Tuesday to battle the Cougars for a second time this season. Mayville State used a 17-2 run late in the second half to come from behind and win 80-72.
The lead bounced back and forth between the teams in the first half, with two ties and nine lead changes in the first 10 minutes. Morris scored six straight points to open up a 26-20 lead, and the Comets responded with a 9-0 to retake the lead.
The Cougars finished strong and used a 9-2 run at the end of the first half to take the lead into halftime 41-38.
"The conversation at the half was that of disappointment in our overall effort. We looked out of character defensively." said McGruder. "Hats off to MN-Morris, they played extremely hard, were the first to the floor and won the 50/50 balls. We had to be the harder working team if we wanted to win and I think we were."
Morris slowly expanded their lead through the first 12 minutes of the second half, with their largest lead at 64-54 with eight minutes left in the game.
Two baskets by
Jamison Kramer started the decisive run, and the Comets defense clamped down to hold the Cougars to one field goal during this five minute stretch.
BJ Woods connected on four clutch free throws in the last 30 seconds of the game to seal the victory 80-73.
Three Comets reached double figures, with
Thomas Gieske's season high of 28 leading all scorers. Kramer added 16 and John White Jr. finished with 11.
"Gieske and Kramer are blue collar guys through and through. They play hard and earn their points. Jamison is a match up problem with his size and ability to shoot. Tom moves well without the ball and always seems to be in the right spot at the right time in the paint." McGruder commented.
Stevan Garza controlled the glass with a season high of nine rebounds, and Gieske and Kramer collected eight apiece.
Juan Carlos Canahuate set a career high with 11 assists, Kramer blocked two shots and Gieske racked up three steals.
McGruder also added, "JC has been doing a great job finding guys and controlling things on the offensive end. Steven plays with such a high motor it allows him to get 2nd chance opportunities and is fearless when he attacks the hoop. His effort on both ends is why he's in the starting line up, you guys need guys like that."
The win boosts the Comets record to 7-2. Mayville State travels to Dickinson this weekend to take two Frontier Conference opponents, Carroll College on Friday and Montana Western on Saturday.
