MAYVILLE, N.D. – Playing tough defense was key for the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragon men's basketball team on Friday evening as the team picked up their second straight win holding the Mayville State Comets to thirty points below their season average, winning 77-73.

The Dragons held the momentum in the first ten minutes of the game as junior Dennis Williamson played a big part in the team's offense as he had eight of his 14 points before the media time out in the first half. The Dragons had a 41-38 lead at half time.

Despite the Comets taking as much as a seven point lead in the second half, the Dragons regained the lead with 8:20 left in the game as Alex Novak put up five quick points, on two lay-ups and followed with a free-throw, putting MSUM up 61-56.

This sparked a ten point run for the Dragons as Charlie Chapman hit a three-pointer in the next MSUM possession and Jake Driscoll followed with a jumper, going up 66-56.

The Comets did not let this bring them down as they came back to within one point, with Christian Harris leading the way. He scored 12 of his 14 game points in the second half.

With 1:23 left to play, MSUM led by one, Harris missed a free-throw, that was a chance for the Comets to tie up the game, with the Dragons grabbing the rebound. Chapman took the ball down the court and drove it to the hoop, putting the Dragons up by three with just over one minute left to play.

The Comets would again close the gap to one, but a pair of free-throws by Driscoll put the Dragons up by three with 40 seconds left to play.

Mayville State's Shavontae Samuels drove the lane and on his way to the hoop was blocked by Novak, who tipped the ball to Tarell Clark. The Dragons were able to get the ball out of the Comets court and run the clock down to 18 seconds before Clark was fouled. He in turn, put the team up by four, going 1-for-2 from the line, setting up for the Dragon win.

The Dragons shot 56 percent in the game, going 27-for-48 from the field, but shooting 17-of-26 from the charity stripe. The team grabbed ten more rebounds than the Comets, 38-28.

All five starters led the team in scoring, tallying all but nine of the points for the Red and White. Driscoll led the Dragons with 16 points, going five-of-11 from the field with two three-pointers. Chapman had 15 points and Williamson had 14 points and nine boards. Novak picked up his second double-double of the season, with 13 points and 13 rebounds, going 6-for-8 from the field. Clark had 10 points.

The Dragons open their 2010-11 season 2-0, winning both non-conference games in their opening week of the season. The team will continue the year with non-conference rivals, at Concordia (Moorhead, Minn.) on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.