February 14, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – Mayville State (N.D.) shot 52.6 percent from the field Friday evening at DSU Fieldhouse, holding off Dakota State (S.D.) 77-73 in the North Star Athletic Association men's basketball action.  The Comets earned the NSAA season series victory with a 2-1 record, with each team winning on the road (MSU won at DSU Fieldhouse twice this season).

Dakota State's three-game winning streak came to an end, falling to 11-13 overall record and 4-8 NSAA conference record.  Mayville State lifted their overall record to 16-10 and 8-5 record in the league.

It was the annual Ag Ball contest at DSU Fieldhouse, recognizing the economic importance with Madison local agricultural businesses.

The Trojans conclude their home regular season schedule Saturday evening versus Valley City State (N.D.) in the North Star conference action.  The DSU men's basketball team will be honoring their five seniors prior to their warm-ups.  The game is set to tip off at 5 p.m.

Mayville State (N.D.) 77, Dakota State (S.D.) 73 – FINAL

Dakota State and Mayville State traded leads three times and tied the game three times in the first five-and-half minutes of the game.  Lukas Morgan completed a 3-point play to give the Trojans a 12-11 lead with 14:22 on the clock.

The Comets used five different players that scored during the 13-0 run to earn a 24-12 lead after Nick Michaelson's layup with 11:27 to go in the first half.

DSU then went on a 6-0 scoring run, highlighted by Brayden Pankonen's steal and dished out an assist to Morgan on the fastbreak.  The Trojans trailed 24-18 with 9:28 to go before halftime.

Mayville State maintained their lead between eight- and 12-points for the remainder of the first half.  Steven Garza hit a layup to give the Comets the biggest lead of the game at 45-31 at halftime.

MSU shot a blazing 55.9 percent from the field in the first twenty minutes (19-of-34 field goals) compared to DSU 44 percent (11-of-25 field goals).

Trailing 57-44, Dakota State went on a monstrous 19-4 outburst to regain their lead.  Pankonen highlighted the scoring run with three 3-pointers, including a long 3-pointer that gave the Trojans a 63-61 lead and forced Mayville State to call a timeout with 7:33 remaining.

The Comets answered from the timeout by holding DSU scoreless for five-plus minutes, sparking their 9-0 scoring run.  London Williams completed a 3-point play to open a 70-63 lead with 3:10 left.

Dakota State snapped their scoring drought with 2:04 left after a pair of free throws from Lane Tietz, trailing 70-65.  The Trojans could get no closer than four points as the Comets secured the victory.

DSU outscored MS 42-32 in the second half.  The Trojans shot 50 percent from the field (13-of-26 field goals) compared to the Comets 47.8 percent (11-of-23 field goals).  DSU was 11-of-15 from the free throw line in the final twenty minutes to MSU 8-of-15 free throws.

Tietz led Dakota State with 18 points.  He made all seven free throw attempts.  He added four rebounds and three assists.  Pankonen tallied 16 points and tied a career-high five assists.  Taine Mitchell added a season-high 14 points on his 5-of-6 field goals and 3-of-4 free throws.  He contributed five assists.

Colby Dillenbeck scored eight points and collected six rebounds off the bench for DSU.  Aiden Jensen had six points and five rebounds.  Morgan had five points and five rebounds.  Tietz, Pankonen, and Tyler Beckwith each had two steals.

Williams scored a game-high 23 points for the Comets.  He was 10-of-15 from the field and collected three blocks.  Garza added 19 points on his 8-of-10 field goals.  JJ White scored 16 points, grabbed five rebounds, contributed four assists, and stole the ball four times.

Mayville State shot 30-of-57 from the field (52.6 percent) compared to Dakota state 24-of-51 field goals (47.1 percent).  The Trojans hit 7-of-22 from the 3-point line, while the Comets were 5-of-18 3-pointers.

DSU converted 18-of-23 free throws (78.3 percent) to MSU 12-of-23 free throws (52.2 percent).

Dakota State outrebounded Mayville State 37-28. 

The Comets outscored the Trojans 26-14 in points off turnovers and 44-34 inside the paint.