MAYVILLE, N.D. (VCSUVikings.com) – The Viking men’s basketball team came up one play short on Saturday, dropping a back-and-forth battle with Mayville State in the NSAA conference opener.

In a game that featured 17 lead changes, Mayville State’s 12 3-pointers proved to be the difference as the Comets held off the Vikings, 81-78.

The Vikings shot 52 percent in the game and turned the ball over just nine times, but Mayville State made up ground by going 12-for-24 from 3-point range. The Comets were 8-for-14 on 3-pointers in the first half as they took a slim 40-38 lead into the locker room.

The lead would change hands 10 times in the second half with the Vikings striking first. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Chris Morgan and Logan Nelson to start the second half put the Vikings ahead 44-40. From there, the teams traded big shots over the final 20 minutes of play. Five straight points by Mayville’s Gorg Alhag gave the Comets a 74-68 lead with 5:52 remaining.

The Vikings responded with a 6-0 run to tie the game, getting four straight points from Michael Cornelious and a layup inside by Jake Skelly to even the game at 74-74 with 2:19 to go. Alhag quickly answered with a basket in the lane to give the Comets the lead for good, and Mayville State made free throws each time the Vikings closed to within one point in the final minute. The Vikings had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but Logan Nelson’s contested 3-pointer from the deep left wing was off the mark.

Valley City State drops to 2-7 overall and 0-1 in the NSAA. Mayville State, which is receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, improves to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the NSAA.

Michael Cornelious scored a season-high 20 points to pace the Viking offense. The VCSU junior added seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals, and shot 10-for-14 from the field. Chris Morgan had a big game inside, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists. The Viking junior center shot 7-for-12 on field goals.

As a team, VCSU shot 52 percent overall (32-62), 39 percent on 3’s (5-13) and 69 percent at the line (9-13). Nelson finished with 11 points, and Connor Entziadded 10 points off the bench. Hunter McCalla scored eight, and Alex Westonhit two 3-pointers to finish with six points.

Alhag scored a game-high 26 points to lead four Comets in double figures. Mayville State shot 43 percent from the field (26-61) and 68 percent on free throws (17-25).

Up next: Valley City State returns home to host Oak Hills Christian College on Monday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m.