Men’s basketball: Comets come up short against Albion, 84-67

OLIVET, Mich. – An 11-0 Albion College run in the first half proved to be too much for the Olivet College men's basketball team to overcome as the Britons defeated the Comets, 84-67, tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The teams traded baskets at the beginning of the game until a layup by sophomore R.J. Haas and a free throw by senior DeOndre Callahan put Olivet ahead by six points, 13-7, at the 12:55 mark. Albion erased the deficit the aforementioned 11-0 run to take an 18-13 lead.

Junior Alex Antic scored the next two points for the Comets before the Britons went another large scoring run, 10-0, to go up 13 points, 28-15, with 5:44 remaining before halftime. Albion stretched its lead to as many as 17 points twice, including 40-23 at the break.

In the second half, Olivet cut its deficit down to seven points, 56-49, after sophomore Aaron Washington drilled a three-pointer from the top of the arc. The Britons' largest lead in the second half was the 17-point margin of victory.

For the game, both teams made 28 baskets. However, Albion was better behind three-point range, making nine triples to only three for the Comets. The Britons also made 19 free throws to eight for Olivet.

Callahan was the Comets' leading scorer with 17 points. Washington finished with 11 points. Haas and freshman Jake Zielinski each grabbed five rebounds.

Albion had five players, including four starters, reach double figures in the scoring column. Dakota Kasen led all scorers with 25 points. Travell Oakes was next with 17 points, followed by Jordan Herron with 14, and Zach Hurth and Robert Ryan with 11 apiece. Oakes pulled down a game-best 11 rebounds.

Olivet hosts Calvin College next Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m.