Men’s basketball team upended by Grand Valley, 105-57

ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team was upended by NCAA Division II foe Grand Valley State University, 105-57, tonight at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale.

The Comets kept the game close for the first seven minutes, and held a pair of three-point leads at 10-7 and 12-9. There were two tied scores, with the last time being 23-23 at the 7:48 mark. From there, the Lakers went on a 14-2 run to take their largest lead of the half, 37-25.

Olivet responded with five straight points to trail by seven, 37-30, with 4:08 left before halftime. GVSU ended the half on a 10-2 scoring spurt to take a 47-32 into the locker rooms. The closest the Comets would get in the second half was 13 points, 47-34, after they scored the first two points of the half.

For the game, Olivet shot 27.8 percent (15-of-54) from the floor and 54.5 percent (18-of-33) from the free throw line. The Lakers made 37-of-65 (56.9 percent) baskets and 22-of-29 (75.9 percent) free throws. GVSU forced 23 Comet turnovers.

Senior Lee Gardner was the only Olivet player in double figures with 17 points. Freshman Kyle Emory and junior Kevin Woodson each had nine points. Freshman Jermell Johnson contributed eight points, and grabbed a team-leading six rebounds.

For the Lakers, Luke Ryskamp led all scorers with 17 points. Four players came off the bench to score in double figures, as Ricardo Carajal and Zach West had 13 each, Juwan Starks had 12 and Sam McClendon had 11. Chaz Rollins pulled down a game-best eight rebounds.

The Comets host Carthage (Wis.) College in their home-opener next Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m.