Men’s basketball: Comets defeated by Purdue Calumet, 72-60

HAMMOND, Ind. – Sophomore Adam Rayner posted his first collegiate double-double but it was not enough as the Olivet College men's basketball team was defeated by Purdue University Calumet (PUC), 72-60, tonight in Hammond, Ind.

The Peregrines built their first double digit lead, 22-11, with nine minutes remaining in the first half. Four minutes later, PUC extended its advantage to 18 points, 31-13. The Comets fought back and were down by only nine points, 33-24, with 54 seconds left in the opening half. The Peregrines scored the last basket of the opening 20 minutes to take an 11-point lead, 35-24, at the break.

Twice in the second half, Olivet got its deficit down to single digits. The last time was 47-38 at the 10:54 mark. PUC was able to push its lead back to as many as 16 points, 54-38.

Rayner had 10 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double. Sophomore R.J. Haas joined him in double figures with a team-high 14 points. Senior Jordan Union grabbed six rebounds and dished out a team-leading seven assists.

Olivet (1-3) is off for Thanksgiving and will return to the court Monday, Dec. 1, with a 6 p.m. home game against Elmhurst (Ill.) College.