Box Score Jamestown, N.D. - The Comets Men's Basketball team headed to Jamestown to battle the Jimmies in their last game of 2023. In a tight game throughout, the Jimmies escaped with a 77-73 victory.

"I don't think we guarded the perimeter with much urgency. They're a great shooting team and we gave up 4-5 threes with nobody within 10 feet," expressed head Coach Brandon McGruder post game.

Neither team gained much leverage in the first half, as there were six lead changes and five ties. A Jamison Kramer jumper stretched the lead to five at 32-27 with just under five minutes left to go in the half. The Jimmies trimmed it back to three at the halftime buzzer and trailed 40-37 after 20 minutes.

Kramer carried the Comets offense in the first half, as he poured in 19 points. John White Jr. connected on all three of his three point attempts to finish with nine points, and Juan Carlos Canahuate added 4 assists.

Jamestown was able to gain the lead at 45-44 with 17:30 remaining in the game. The Jimmies were able to boost the lead to 9 points with 11:55 left, but Mayville State whittled that advantage down to one at 66-65 with just over three minutes on the clock.

Jamestown shut down every attempt by the Comets to retake the lead and hit two free throws to seal the win 77-73.

Game Highlights: 

• Kramer led all scorers with 27 points and also pulled down 7 rebounds
• White Jr. finished with 18 points with all of those coming from behind the arc where he was 6-7, he also nabbed 5 rebounds
• Thomas Gieske added 13 points and 3 rebounds
• Steven Garza had two steals and JC Canahuate had 5 assists

The Comets go into Christmas break with a record of 10-3 and will have a long stretch with no games as their next match up is at home against Saint Boniface January 6th & 7th in the Lewy Lee.

"Heading into Saint Boniface we'll have to play a lot better for sure. We have to clean up a lot of things including our defense and offensive movement. We have to be able to know how to play off the ball and create shots for yourself and for others," added McGruder. "The guys will head home tonight and we plan to recharge our batteries, enjoy time with our families and we will need to get into the gym during this 20 day stretch without games."

Comets Men's Basketball will return to campus January 2nd and report for their first practice of 2024. They will add two to their roster at semester, Darren Jones & Tim Oldham - both standout JUCO players.

For full results and schedule information visit https://msucomets.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule.