Arnold’s season-high not enough as MSU tops Bellevue, 84-73

Box Score
NSAA Standings

MAYVILLE, N.D. -- Despite a season-high 24 points by senior Ashtyn Arnold, Mayville State University pulled away late to earn an 84-73 victory over Bellevue University in North Star Athletic Association women's basketball action Saturday afternoon in the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. 

The loss dropped the Bruins to 12-10 on the season and 4-6 in the NSAA. MSU improved to 15-7 overall and 5-5 in league action. 

Along with her 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting, Arnold added eight rebounds, five assists, and a pair of steals. Gabby Moore finished with 12 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Josias Mickens was the third Bruin in double figures, registering 10 points along with five boards. Brandi Dunn and Kaylee Denker finished with nine and eight points, respectively. 

Alex Page (24) Jes Mertens (18), and Mackenzie Hughes (15) combined for 57 points to pace the Comet offense.  

Mayville State led by as many as six in the opening quarter, but a late 3-pointer by Moore cut Bellevue's deficit to 16-14 after the first 10 minutes. Arnold led BU early with six points and two rebounds.

After a pair of free throws by Zakiyyah Muhammad tied the game at 16-16 to open the second quarter, the Comets responded with an 8-2 spurt to go up 24-18. Bellevue answered with an 8-0 run, featuring 3-pointers from Moore and Denker, to claim a 26-24 edge with 4:11 remaining in the half. However, Misti Zempel scored five straight to ignite a 10-0 MSU surge, putting the Comets back in control at 34-26. The teams exchanged baskets for the remainder of the period, and Mayville State entered halftime with a 41-33 advantage.

Arnold led the Bruins at the break with 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Moore chipped in six points, two rebounds, and a pair of assists. Page paced MSU with 13 first-half points, and Mertens added nine points and five boards.

Mayville State extended its lead in the third quarter behind 3-pointers from Annika Reierson, Page, and Mertens as part of an 11-4 run, pushing the margin to 60-48 with 2:24 left. Bellevue battled back, using a pair of free throws from Denker and a Mickens triple to cut the deficit to seven, but the Comets answered with back-to-back 3-pointers, including a buzzer-beater from Berkley Neubauer, to take a 66-53 lead into the final frame.

Moore sparked a late rally, draining two consecutive 3-pointers as the Bruins went on a 9-0 run, pulling within four (68-64) with 5:33 left to play. However, MSU closed out strong, ending the game on a 14-7 run to secure the 84-73 victory.

The Bruins return home next Friday, Feb. 7, when they entertain sixth-ranked Dakota State University at 5:30 p.m. in the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center.