Mayville State held home court Wednesday night as the Valley City State University men's basketball team suffered an 86-75 defeat at Mayville.
The Comets shot 57 percent from the field in both halves, building a 38-27 halftime lead they would not give up. Mayville State led by as many as 16 points at 53-37 midway through the second half. The Vikings were able to close to within seven points at 78-71 with 2:10 remaining, but could get not closer.
The Vikings drop to 11-13 overall and 1-4 in the North Star Athletic Association. The Comets are now 13-9 overall and 1-4 in the NSAA.
Jayden Ferguson led the Vikings with 23 points and three assists in the loss. Mac Kroeplin scored 16 points and pulled down four rebounds. Riley West had 10 points, Briton Bussman scored eight, and both Ellwood Ellenson and Chase Carpenter chipped in six points.
The Vikings shot just 32 percent in the first half as they fell behind midway through they first frame. They finished at 41 percent for the game (23-56). VCSU was 33 percent on 3's (5-15) and 86 percent on free throws (24-28).
The Comets were led by 22 points and six rebounds from Chuck Robinson. Jamal Branco had 19 points and A.B. Najee scored 18.
Mayville State burned up the nets with 57 percent shooting from the field (31-54), 56 percent on 3's (5-9) and 76 percent on free throws (19-25).
Up next: Valley City State (11-13, 1-4 NSAA) hosts University of Jamestown on Saturday at 6 p.m.
