Men’s basketball: Hornets sting Comets, 75-62

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Freshman Jake Zielinski recorded his first collegiate double-double but it was not enough, as the Olivet College men's basketball team fell to Kalamazoo College, 75-62, today at the Anderson Athletic Center in Kalamazoo.

Zielinski scored the first 11 Comet points in the game, helping them take a six-point advantage, 11-5. The Hornets responded with 11 consecutive points for a 16-11 lead. Olivet came back with an 8-0 run for a 19-16 lead. For the rest of the half, the teams exchanged free throws and baskets before Kalamazoo grabbed its largest lead of the half, 34-29, at the break.

The Hornets increased their lead to 13 points, 48-35, with 12:31 left in the game. The Comets chipped away at their deficit and were down only six points, 50-44, three minutes later. Kalamazoo pushed its lead back to double figures and 13 points one more time, 57-44, at the 7:18 mark.

Olivet came within six points two more times, 63-57 and 64-58. A final Hornet surge stretched their lead to as many as 15 points, 75-60. A Zielinski basket created the final margin of defeat for the Comets.

Zielinski scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his double-double in only his second collegiate basketball game. Junior Alex Antic came off the bench to score a career-high nine points. Senior Blake Krum and sophomore Kevin Woodson netted seven points each.

Adam Dykema paced Kalamazoo with 16 points. Josh Whitney joined him in double figures with 11 points. Stephen Oliphant also pulled down 11 rebounds.

Olivet travels to play Alma College next Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 p.m.