Men’s basketball: Comets fall to Hope, 95-85

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team shot a season-high 51.8 percent, including a sizzling 69.2 percent in the first half, but still fell to Hope College, 95-85, this afternoon at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The first nine minutes and 18 seconds of the game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team holding a lead of more than three points. The Flying Dutch appeared to take control of the game by taking an eight-point lead on three occasions. The last time was 33-28 at the 7:18 mark when Alex Eidson made a layup. The Comets battled back behind a late three-point barrage to trail by only one point, 46-45.

Hope responded with a three-pointer to go up 49-45. Olivet drained 3-of-4 free throws in the final 90 seconds of the half to trail by one point, 49-48, at halftime. Both teams shot high percentages in the opening half. Olivet was 18-of-26, including 7-of-12 from three-point range. The Flying Dutch made one less three-pointer but canned 9-of-15 free throws to 5-of-7 free throws for the Comets as the difference at the break.

Olivet opened the second half with an 8-4 run to take a 56-53 lead. Hope answered with five straight points for a 58-56 lead. The Comets tied the game one more time on a pair of free throws by senior DeOndre Callahan. The Flying Dutch scored the next basket and did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.

For the game, Olivet made 29-of-56 field goals, 12-of-29 from behind the arc, and 15-of-21 free throws. Hope was 28-of-47 (59.6 percent), with seven triples, and 32-of-39 (82.1 percent) from the charity stripe. The Flying Dutch out-rebounded the Comets, 29-22.

Five Olivet players reached double figures in the scoring column. Callahan led the way with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting from both the floor and free throw line. Senior Jordan Union and freshman Jake Zielinski each scored 13 points. Senior Blake Krum chipped in 11 points, while freshman Ryan Anderson came off the bench to score 10 points. Anderson and sophomore R.J. Haas grabbed four rebounds apiece.

Hope was led by Eidson's 22 points. Ben Garden and Harrison Blackledge contributed 21 and 20 points, respectively. Cody Stuive added 15 bench points. Blackledge pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.

The Comets travel to play Albion College next Wednesday, Jan 21. Tip-off from Kresge Gymnasium is 7:30 p.m.