Nash Pours in 39 in Big Road Win To Close the Season
The Comets closed out the regular season with authority Friday night, earning a 77–61 road victory over Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal and proving their depth in the absence of two key contributors.
Playing without starting guard Sean Berge and sixth man sparkplug Zane Holmquist, the Comets didn’t flinch. Instead, they leaned into efficiency, rebounding, and balanced execution to finish the regular season on a high note heading into Tuesday’s playoff opener, when both Berge and Holmquist are expected to return.
Hillcrest shot 43.5% from the field and posted an effective field goal percentage of 49.2%, compared to 41.4% and 47.4% for the Titans UH Stats. The Comets were particularly strong inside the arc, converting 20-of-39 two-point attempts (51.3%), consistently attacking the paint and finishing through contact.
Lincoln Nash delivered a dominant performance to cap the regular season, pouring in 39 points on 12-of-21 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three and 11-of-14 from the free-throw line. He added seven rebounds, four assists, and five steals, impacting nearly every column on the stat sheet. Ethan Swedberg provided balance and interior stability, scoring 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting while pulling down 12 rebounds. His physical presence helped Hillcrest dominate second-chance opportunities and control the paint.
As a team, the Comets outrebounded the Titans 44–29, including 15 offensive boards. That work translated into a 24–3 advantage in second-chance points, one of the most decisive statistical edges of the night.
Kian Stender contributed eight points, four rebounds, and two assists, and Micah Rasmussen was a deciding factor, locking down UH-NCE’s top scorer in the second half while getting on the stat sheet, scoring 5 points on 2-of-4 shooting, finishing a team-best +25 in 20 minutes.
Griffin Haus added three points and six rebounds, while Drew Fischer chipped in two points and dished out five assists, helping orchestrate an offense that recorded 16 assists on 27 made field goals. Hillcrest also forced 10 turnovers while committing just 12 of their own, turning defensive pressure into 12 points off turnovers.
Closing the regular season with a double-digit road win, without a starter and their sixth man, underscores the Comets’ depth and readiness. The return of Sean Berge and Zane Holmquist on Tuesday adds perimeter defense, additional ball-handling, and bench energy to a group already operating with balance and confidence. With Nash scoring at a high clip, Swedberg controlling the glass, and role players stepping forward in meaningful minutes, Hillcrest enters the postseason not just healthy, but battle-tested.