Mayville, ND - The Comets Men's Basketball team hosted the Bellevue Bruins at the Lewy Lee on Saturday evening. At stake was first place in the North Star conference. Mayville State used a balanced attack with five players reaching double figures in a critical 88-69 victory.

"This was the most complete game we've played on both ends. We guarded their actions very well and were the aggressor defensively," said head coach Brandon McGruder.

Neither team seized the early momentum as the lead switched back and forth multiple times. The Comets used a 5-0 run to gain some breathing room and lead 22-17 midway through the first half.

The Bruins sliced the lead to 27-26 with seven minutes left, but Jamison Kramer scored all eight points in an 8-1 rally to boost the lead back to eight points.

The teams traded baskets to finish the half with the Comets ahead 40-33. Kramer and Juan Carlos Canahuate combined for 17 points in the first half to lead Mayville State.

The Comets were red-hot from the three point line to open the second half. Mayville State's first three baskets were triples which bumped the lead into double digits at 49-38.

The Comets kept up the offensive onslaught with a 13-4 run that got the lead to 64-44 with eleven and a half minutes remaining.

The Bruins would not get closer than 15 points the rest of the way, which gave the Comets a chance to get all the seniors some opportunities to shine to finish the game.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Comets found themselves alone at the top of the North Star conference.

"I think we did a great spreading them out and attacking the paint offensively. With that, it opened up the perimeter and we were able to capitalize on open looks from three," added McGruder.

The Comets shot 59 percent from the field and controlled the glass by out rebounding the Bruins 34-22.

Kramer paced the Comets with 16 points, followed closely by Canahuate with 15 points and six assists. Thomas Gieske added 15 points and six rebounds, Darren Jones finished with 14 points and pulled down six boards, and BJ Woods reached double figures with 12 points.

The Comets record now stands at 19-6 and 7-3 in conference play. Mayville State hits the road on the final regular season weekend with games against the Viterbo V-Hawks and Waldorf Warriors.

"I think we're hitting our stride at the right time. We need a great week of practice to close out the conference," said McGruder.