Men's Basketball Battle Against Comets in Overtime

MAYVILLE, N.D. – For their second NSAA conference game, the Waldorf men's basketball team was back on the road for a matchup against the Mayville State Comets on Saturday evening. After an overtime battle, the Warriors suffered an 85-79 loss.

"Really proud of our guy's effort tonight. We had some opportunities offensively and defensively against a really good Mayville State team," stated Head Coach Nigel Jenkins. "They are receiving votes in the top 25 for a reason ad our guys were right there."

1^st Half: Gabriel Sorensen (JR/West Haven, UT) drained a three-pointer and Khyle Washington (SR/Atlanta, GA) added a transition layup after grabbing a defensive board. Ugo Ejiofor (JR/Dallas, TX) scored six straight points and Washington made a layup after forcing a Comet turnover with a steal. The Warriors were up 13-6. 

The Comets took the lead at 19-17 with 11 minutes left. Sorensen made three points and Kaelon Harkema (JR/Louisville, KY) added a three-pointer to tie the game at 23. The Comets went up by six points. Justin Wiggins (JR/West Palm Beach, FL) made a three and Ejiofor went 2-2 from the free throw line to bring the game within one. Washington made a go-ahead jump shot but the Comets hit a three to be up 36-33.

2^nd Half: Ejiofor scored four straight points to tie up the game at 38. The Comets went on an 11-0 run over the Warriors. Harkema stopped the run with a jump shot and Ejiofor added two points. Mayville State was up 59-43 with 10:38 left before Khalil Grayson (JR/Milwaukee, WI) made a three-pointer. 

Wiggins made a three-pointer to bring the game within seven points. The Warriors then went on an 8-0 run to take the lead at 61-60. The Comets retook the lead before Washington tied the game twice at 63 and 65. Grayson scored a three to take the lead 68-67. Noah Miller (JR/Forest City, IA) had a free throw, and the Comets tied the game to force overtime.

Overtime: The Comets scored first with a three-pointer. Harkema forced a turnover with a steal and made a jump shot. Mayville State went on an 11-0 run over Waldorf. Wiggins and Miller each made a three, but the Comets won 85-78.

Jenkins added, "We will continue to keep working and getting better. It doesn't get any easier next Friday as we continue conference play."

Washington and Ejiofor each finished with double-doubles. Washington had 17 points and 11 rebounds with 2 assists and 2 steals. Ejiofor had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Harkema and Grayson each had 10 points. 

Next up, the men's basketball team will travel for a conference weekend with Bellevue (NE) on Friday, January 19^th starting at 7:30 pm.