POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. Mayville State joined some inauspicious company Tuesday night in the NAIA Division II national tournament championship game.
The Comets became the fourth team to jump to a lead of at least 8-0 in the tournament and lose.
Mayville State even topped the previous three teams by bolting to an 11-0 lead, only to be overwhelmed by second-seeded MidAmerica Nazarene of Kansas 78-60. The Pioneers, champions for the first time, enjoyed a 47-29 advantage in the second half after the teams were tied at 31 at the half.
"We had our running game going at first, but it just didn't work out for us," said Comets guard Ron Howard, who is on the all-tournament team. "Our shots weren't falling the way they should have."
MidAmerica Nazarene (34-2) had the upper hand on Mayville State (27-9) in nearly every statistical category, including fastbreak points (18-10) and points in the paint (38-30). The Pioneers outrebounded Mayville State by 49-23.
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Center Akuien Wour grabbed 15 rebounds to go along with 11 points and Danny Hawkins had 12 points and nine rebounds.
"We needed to do a better job rebounding," said Mayville State forward Monty Rodgers, who had 28 points on 11-of-23 shooting and nine rebounds. "We also needed to go to the hole better and get our running game going. I didn't finish on layups like I needed to."
Rogers also is on the all-tournament team.
Mayville State shot only 32 percent (23-of-73) and only 26 percent (10-of-39) in the second half.
Both Howard and Rogers feel MidAmerica Nazarene is a worthy champion.
"I give them props," said Howard, who struggled during a 2-for-14 night. "They played a really good game. They're a strong, physical team and they beat us in transition. They got the best of us."
"I commend them," Rogers added. "They've got a great inside presence and a great point guard."
The Pioneers' point guard, Adam Hepker, is the tournament MVP.
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He directed an offense that shot 51 percent from the floor and collected 21 points and five assists.
Hepker admitted to being "a little bit" scared while being down 11-0 but remained confident.
"That's kind of been our theme in the tournament, falling behind and digging ourselves a hole to get out of," Hepker said. "But I was never worried because of our seniors."
Hepker said his team was like demons on defense.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rogers became a first-team All-America pick.
"That feels good, but I'd rather have a championship," he said.
Mayville State's Matt Stenehjem also is on the all-tournament team. Stenehjem, a former Grand Forks Red River player, had nine points in the final.
Mayville State's Craig Smith is the NAIA Division II coach of the year.
