Mayville State teams sweep NSAA Basketball Final Four titles
Mayville State University's women's and men's teams each won championships Sunday in the North Star Athletic Association Final Four Basketball Tournament.
The two-day tourney opened Saturday and concluded Sunday in the Watertown Civic Central.
Second-seeded Mayville (N.D.) State opened the day with a 66-52 win over top-seeded and two-time defending champion Dakota State, avenging three regular-season losses in the process.
The top-seeded Mayville State men closed out the day with an 80-63 win over third-seeded Dickinson (N.D.) State.
The Mayville State teams earn the conference's automatic bid into their respective NAIA National Tournament opening round on March 7-8. Winners of those games advance to the final NAIA National Tournament sites March 13-18 in Kansas City, Mo. (men) and Sioux City, Iowa (women).
Women's Championship
A fast start proved key for Mayville State, which led 22-12 after one quarter and 42-25 at halftime. The Comets (23-5) led by as many as 20 points and survived a second-half comeback by Dakota State.
The Trojans cut the deficit down to four points twice in the final period, including with just over 70 seconds remaining. Leading 56-52, Mayville State nailed down the victory by converting 10 of 12 free throws down the stretch. That include a 7-for-8 showing by Jes Mertens.
Jordan Zrust scored 22 points, Erin Walcker 16 and Mertens 10 for Mayville.
Savannah Walsdorf finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Dakota State (25-6). Elsie Aslesen added 10 points and eight rebounds.
Men's Championship
Mayville State (25-5) also used a fast start to grab control in the men's championship. The Comets led 45-30 at halftime.
Thomas Gieske led the way with 18 points and 12 rebounds Sebastian Griffin contributed 12 points and Jamison Kramer 10.
Dickinson State (15-15) was led by Gus Wright's 16 points and John Evans' 14.
Saturday's Semifinals
Dakota State rolled to an 82-34 win over No. 4 Dickinson State and Mayville State beat No. 3 Bellevue (Neb.) 76-59 in women's semifinals.
Mayville State downed No. 4 Valley City (N.D.) State 102-82 and Dickinson State topped No. 7 Waldorf (Iowa) 79-74 in men's semifinals.
Courtney Menning scored 15 points, Aslesen and Morgan Huber 14 each and Sidney Fick 12 for Dakota State's women. Kayden Steele had nine points and McKenzie Johnson 10 rebounds for Dickinson State (13-17).
Zrust's 24-point, 17-rebound performance powered Mayville State's women in to the finals. Mackenzie Hughes added 18 points and Walcker 14. Bellevue (17-12) received 15 points from Asha Scott and 10 points and eight rebounds from Ashtyn Arnold.
Gieske recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds and Winder Joseph 19 points and Griffin and Trent Blackshire 16 each for Mayville State's men. Cayden Richard scored 17 points, Cleveland Bedgood 11 and Duoth Gach and Daevonte Munson 10 each for Valley City (16-14).
In the other semifinal, Kose Egbule notched 23 points, Gus Wright 17 and Jaiden Wright 10 for Dickinson State. Tyree'on Johnson had 24 points, Justin Wiggins 14 and Khyle Washington 13 for Waldorf (9-19).
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on Twitter @PO_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Comets qualify for NAIA opening round with wins in the Civic Arena.
