Men’s basketball: Ewing’s put-back basket lifts Olivet past Kalamazoo, 67-65

OLIVET, Mich. – Sophomore Eric Ewing made a put-back basket with 25.7 seconds left to lift the Olivet College men's basketball team past Kalamazoo College, 67-65, in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) action tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The Comets raced out to a 12-point lead, 16-4, in the first six minutes of the game. The Hornets chipped away at their deficit and took their first lead of the game, 25-23, with 7:14 left before halftime. Olivet tied the game at 25-25 after senior DeOndre Callahan drained two free throws.

Kalamazoo took the lead back with a three-pointer by Adam Peters. The Hornets then went up by four points, 31-27, at the 3:51 mark. The Comets scored the final seven points, including five by junior Alex Antic, of the opening 20 minutes of play to take a 34-31 lead at halftime.

The second half was back and forth, with eight tied scores and 12 lead changes. Olivet's biggest lead of the half was four points, 47-43, at the 12:04 mark. The Hornets also had a pair of four-point leads, 61-57 and 63-59, late in the game with 3:15 and 2:39 remaining, respectively.

After the 63-59 score, freshman Jake Zielinski nailed a three-pointer to make the score 63-62. Adam Dykema gave Kalamazoo a three-point cushion, 65-62. Sophomore Kevin Woodson tied the game at 65-65 with a triple from the top of the arc. The Hornets missed a basket and Callahan pulled down the defensive rebound.

After a timeout, Zielinski missed a three-pointer but Ewing was on the weak side to grab the offensive rebound and put the ball back into the basket for the go-ahead score. Kalamazoo had two chances in the final 25.7 seconds to tie the game.

For the game, Olivet made 27-of-70 baskets, with 7-of-30 shooting from behind the arc, and 6-of-7 free throws for its 67 points. Kalamazoo made two less total baskets and one less three-pointer, but kept the game close by making 11-of-18 free throws. Both teams committed 12 turnovers.

Callahan led the Comets with 17 points. Ewing joined him in double figures with 10 points. Zielinski and freshman Devin LoVette each scored eight. Freshman Shaun McKinney posted a team-leading seven rebounds and four assists.

Peters led all scorers with 21 points. Dykema finished with 16 points. Josh Miller grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.

Olivet hosts Alma College Saturday at 3 p.m.