Bellevue, Neb. - The Mayville State Comets Women's Basketball team traveled south to Nebraska for the NSAA conference opener against the Bellevue Bruins. A strong showing from the Bruins would shut the Comets down to give them just their third loss of the season.

"Anytime you give up 54 points in the half to any college basketball team you are going to struggle and that's what we did in the second half," said head coach Ryan Carpenter. "We were not good enough defensively in the second half to give ourselves a chance on the road."

Here's how it happened:

1^st Quarter:

• Lots of defensive pressure on both ends
• The Bruins would lead by 8 halfway through the first
• Bellevue went over 5 minutes without scoring in the first
• Jes Mertens had 3 steals, while Bellevue had 6 total
• Bruins led 12-10 at the end of the first ten minutes
• Bellevue shot 46%, Comets shot 25%

2^nd Quarter:

• Not much action in the first half of the quarter
• 6-minute mark Misti Zempel hit a mid-range shot to put the score at 15-21 Bruins
• Immediately followed by shot clock violation on the Bruins allowed Alex Page an easy lay up; 17-21 Bruins
• Another Jes Mertens steal results in Hughes lay up 19-21 Bruins
• Back-to-back turnovers by each team allowed Page to tie the game at 21-21 with 2:40 remaining in the half
• Tied with 2 minutes left, the Bruins commit their 5^th team foul, sending Hughes to the free throw line, she drains both taking the lead 23-21
• No one would score in the final minute, Comets led 25-23
• Page led things with 8 points and 4 rebounds
• Comets shot 30% and only made 2-12 behind the arc with 10 turnovers
• Only 3 Comets scored in the first half

3^rd Quarter

• Hughes led it off with a 3, but the Bruins responded immediately with one themselves making it 28-26 Comets
• After a Comets turn it over, the Bruins make a three to take the lead 31-20 at the 7:40 mark
• Comets went 1-10 on last 10 shots at the 4 minute mark
• Bruins led by as much as 12 in the 3rd
• Page cut their deficit to 8 with a lay up, to put her at 15pts in the game
• Bruins led 48-38 at the end of the 3^rd and outscored the Comets 25-13
• Only 3 Comets score, Hughes led the quarter with 5pts
• Bruins outscore the Comets 25-13

4th Quarter:

• The Bruins open the quarter with a trip to the free throw line after Zempel committed her 4^th foul of the night
• Page hits a 3 at the 9-minute mark to cut their deficit to 9; 41-50 Bruins
• Comets get frustrated as Bruins extend their lead 63-46 with 5:40 minutes remaining
• Page puts up 6 points in the 4th
• Bruins outscore the Comets 29-20

Team Leaders:

- Alex Page 21 points, 7 rebounds
- Misti Zempel 12 points, 5 rebounds
- Mackenzie Hughes 11 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
- Jes Mertens 6 steals and 5 assists

Overall:

- 23-66 from the field (34.8%)
- 6-28 behind the arc (21.4%)
- 19 turnovers (11 pts off 21 Bruin turnovers)
- Largest lead of 5
- 21 bench points 

"When you have a little number next to your name, every opponent you face is going to give you their best game and we were not ready for their effort and intensity in the second half," added Carpenter. "They were very good on defense and did a good job of defending us one on one, making us earn every basket."

The Comets will be tested once again tomorrow as they take on No. 6 ranked Dakota State in Madison. Tip off is set for 3pm. 

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