Box Score Madison, SD - The Comets Men's Basketball team traveled to Madison, SD to battle the Dakota State Trojans in a North Star conference contest. The game was close throughout, as Dakota State escaped with an 84-79 win.

"Discipline and attention to detail were our biggest struggles tonight," said head coach Brandon McGruder. "We did a bad job of recognizing personnel and executing our game plan. We also did a bad job of not capitalizing on their mistakes."

The Comets used a 6-0 run to take a 10-5 lead five minutes into the game. The Trojans closed to 14-11 before the Comets ripped off another run to boost the lead to 26-17 midway through the first half.

This run was highlighted with a Darren Jones touch pass to Thomas Gieske for a two-handed slam off an inbound play.

Dakota State rallied with a 10-2 run of their own to tie the game at 30 with 4:22 remaining. Keyshaun Bolen hit a basket at the end of the half to give the Comets a slim 38-37 advantage.  Jamison Kramer's 12 points paced Mayville State's offense.

The Comets quickly bumped the lead to 44-39 early in the second half, but the Trojans stormed back to knot the game at 44. The next 12 minutes the teams traded the lead numerous times and forced multiple ties.

Dakota State opened a 74-70 lead with five minutes left and did not relinquish it, connecting on six late free throws to hold off the Comets 84-79.

Jones capitalized on his first start of the year with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, followed closely by Kramer with 20 points and four blocked shots. Gieske finished in double figures with 14 and Juan Carlos Canahaute dished out seven of the Comets 26 assists.

The Comets record now stands at 15-5 and 3-2 in the North Star. Mayville State moves to Nebraska to take on the Bellevue Bruins Saturday, tip off at 5:00pm.

"We will have to be a lot smarter tonight and stick to the game plan in order to get the win," added McGruder.