The Valley City State University women's basketball team had hits seven-game winning streak come to an end Wednesday night at the hands of Mayville State.
The Comets led 18-14 after a brutal first half, and then held off the Vikings down the stretch for a 60-56 win in Valley City.
Valley City State drops to 19-8 overall and 7-2 in the North Star Athletic Association. Mayville State improves to 17-6 overall and 6-3 in conference play. The teams split their two meetings this season, with the road team winning each time.
VCSU is currently second in the conference behind University of Jamestown (8-1 NSAA). The Vikings are still alive for a share of first place, but need to beat Presentation College on Saturday and have Mayville State defeat Jamestown. The Comets are locked into the No. 3 seed for the conference tournament.
Neither team played well in the first half Wednesday night as they combined for 29 turnovers and just 10 made shots. VCSU shot just 17 percent (5-29) in the first half, while Mayville State was 23 percent (5-22). The Comets held a slim 18-14 lead after the first 20 minutes.
The Vikings never led in the second half. Mayville State built a 42-32 lead and then had an answer for every Viking run. Seven straight points by the Vikings made it 42-39, but Liza Hoglo scored five straight for Mayville to quickly push the lead back to eight.
The Comets led 57-47 with 1:52 remaining before the Vikings made one final push late in the game. A 3 by Sierra Even cut the lead to 57-52, and then made free throws by Sadiqah Jihad and Lexi Lennon pulled VCSU to within 58-56 with 11 seconds remaining. After Joelle Ertl made 1 of 2 at the line the Vikings had a good look to tie, but Georgia Williams' 3-point attempt from the left wing was off the mark and the Comets added a final free throw for a 60-56 score.
Williams scored 23 points for Valley City, shooting 8-for-21 from the field and 5-for-15 on 3's. Sierra Even had 11 points and nine rebounds, finishing 3-for-7 on 3's. Courtney Dixon added eight points and four rebounds off the bench, and Sadiqah Jihad had seven points, four rebounds and three assists.
Mayville State was led by 23 points from Hoglo, who shot 6-for-11 from the field and 10-for-11 on free throws. Andi Gayner added a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Comets shot 35 percent overall (18-51), 32 percent on 3's (7-22) and 63 percent on free throws (17-27). Mayville was 5-for-11 on 3's in the second half.
Valley City State finished at just 28 percent shooting (17-61). The Vikings made 29 percent on 3's (8-28) and 74 percent on free throws (14-19). VCSU was 6-for-14 on 3's in the second half.
Mayville State out-rebounded the Vikings 51-36, including a 16-13 edge on the offensive glass. The Vikings had 12 assists, 17 turnovers, seven blocks and 14 steals. The Comets had eight assists, 27 turnovers, one block and eight steals.
Up next: Valley City State plays at Presentation College on Saturday. Mayville State plays at University of Jamestown, also on Saturday.
