Salina, Kans. - The #12 Comets Women's Basketball team took on the LSU-Shreveport Pilots on Saturday afternoon, with the winner going to Sioux City Iowa for the NAIA Round of 16 Tournament.

Mayville State connected on nine three pointers in the first half then got to the basket in the second half en route to an 86-65 win.

Erin Walcker started the three point barrage with consecutive triples to open Mayville State's scoring. Alex Page took over later in the quarter by going 3 for 3 from deep, the third gave the Comets a 19-12 lead.

Mackenzie Hughes rounded out the scoring in the first quarter with 12 total points, which included a 7 of 8 performance from the free throw line. The Comets shot 70% from the field and led after one quarter 27-20.

CJ Decker splashed in two three pointers early in the second quarter to expand Mayville State's lead to 35-22. The Pilots hit three consecutive triples later in the period to close to 39-33.

Walcker then converted a four-point play to bump the lead back into double digits at 43-33. The Comets went into the half ahead 45-35.

Mayville State shot 50% from the field overall and 53% from the three point line in the first half.

Page continued her hot shooting in the third quarter as she hit her first two three-pointers early in the third quarter.

Jordan Zrust started to heat up in the third as she finished a 10-3 run with four straight points to boost the lead to 60-42.

The Pilots kept working and trimmed the lead down to 11 points by the end of the third quarter at 64-53.

LSU-Shreveport scored the first basket of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to nine points, but would get no closer.

Zrust exploded in the fourth with 14 total points and outscored the Pilots by herself in the quarter. Her 10 early points keyed a 14-5 run to increased the Comets advantage to 78-60.

Mayville State did not let up until the final horn sounded and an 86-65 victory secured.

"We tried to slow their pace down offensively. We wanted to take away their inside presence. I thought the players really competed defensively to neutralize their size," said head coach Dennis Hutter. "I wish we could have rebounded a bit better but the team battled. Offensively, we wanted to up the tempo and pace and play fast. we knew they would struggle trying to defend all five of us in transition and in the half court. I was happy to see us shoot the ball well to compliment our tempo and pace."

The Comets finished 53% overall from the field and 22 of 25 from the free throw line.

Zrust led all scorers with 24 points, which included 22 in the second half. Zrust also grabbed 10 rebounds for her 12^th double-double of the season.

Hughes followed up with 18 points and went 13-16 from the charity stripe. Page matched a season-high in points with 17 and finished 5 of 8 from deep. Jes Mertens collected a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Walcker reached double figures with 10 points.

"It feels great to head to the Sweet 16 in Sioux Falls. This was a major goal for this team. I am happy they were able to accomplish it. They deserve this. All of them!," added Hutter.

The Comets record now stands at 26-3, setting a single season record in total wins in a season. Mayville State will next face either Dordt or Spring Arbor at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa next Friday. 

More updates to come at msucomets.com