Men’s basketball: Olivet ends non-conference play with loss at Mount Union

ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Olivet College men's basketball team pulled the curtain closed on the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 103-89 loss to University of Mount Union (Ohio) today at the M-Club Classic in Alliance, Ohio. Despite the loss, sophomore Aaron Washington and senior DeOndre Callahan both scored career-highs with 24 and 23 points, respectively.

Neither team led by more than four points for the first nine minutes and 40 seconds of the game. After a 24-24 tie, the Purple Raiders scored eight straight points on a jump shot and a pair of three-pointers to gain a 32-24 lead with 10:22 left before halftime.

Olivet answered with its own 8-0 scoring spurt – all by Washington – over the next 90 seconds to tie the game at 32-32. Following a Mount Union basket, Washington drained a three-pointer to put the Comets ahead 35-34.

The Purple Raiders then went on a 13-4 run to take a 47-39 lead. Freshman Matt Subject made a layup to make the score 47-41 at the break. Washington scored 17 points in the opening half on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor.

In the second half, Olivet battled back and tied the game twice, with the last time being 58-58. After that score, Mount Union scored the next four points and never trailed for the remainder of the game. The Comets got as close as one point, 73-72, but never managed to take the lead.

For the game, Olivet shot 49.2 percent from the floor, with eight three-pointers, and 75 percent from the free throw line. Washington was 9-of-17, including 5-of-11 from behind the arc for his 24 points. Callahan came off the bench to score his 23 points, and was 11-of-13 from the charity stripe.

Sophomore Kevin Woodson and senior Jordan Union joined them in double figures with 16 and 12 points, respectively. Woodson grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.

Six Purple Raiders reached double figures in the scoring column. Cody Dillon led the way with 19 points, followed by DeAllen Jackson (18), Taylor Moore (16), Nate Iacubec (13), Stevie Griffin (10) and Kyle Scelza (10). Jackson also posted team-highs in rebounds (seven) and assists (seven).

The Comets can now focus on their Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) next Wednesday, Jan. 7, when they host Adrian College at 6 p.m. Following the men's game, the Olivet women will play Calvin College.