Men’s basketball team closes out non-conference schedule with 54-52 loss to Purdue Calumet

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team closed out the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 54-52 loss to Purdue University Calumet this afternoon inside The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

In the first 10 minutes and 39 seconds of game, there were four lead changes and five tied scores. Following a 12-12 tie, the Peregrines went on a 5-0 run to take the largest lead for either team at 17-12. The Comets fought back to trim their deficit down to two points, 19-17. Purdue Calumet answered with a 12-6 run to go up eight points, 31-23. Olivet freshman Jordan Ellis split a pair of free throws to make the score 31-24 at the intermission.

The Peregrines stretched their lead back to eight points on two occasions early in the second half, with the last time being 38-30 at the 14:21 mark. Over the next four minutes and one second, the Comets responded went on an 8-0 run to knot the score at 38-38. The teams traded baskets for another tied score, 40-40. Purdue Calumet put eight of the next 10 points on the scoreboard to take a 48-42 lead.

Olivet did not go down quietly, as it only trailed by only one, 50-49, with 2:39 left in the game. There was no more scoring until there were 36 seconds remaining in the game when LaBradford Sebree put the Peregrines ahead by three points, 52-49.

Comet senior Lee Gardner was fouled with 13.4 ticks left, and he made both free throws to make the score 52-51. Purdue Calumet quickly broke the Olivet press in the back court and scored a fast-break dunk to push its lead back to three points, 54-51.

With only 0.9 seconds showing on the scoreboard clock, junior Zach Walker was fouled on a potential game-tying three-pointer. After missing the first shot, he made the second to make the score 54-52. When Olivet decided to intentionally miss the third attempt, Walker was called for a lane violation to turn the ball over back to the Peregrines who inbounded the ball and ran out the clock.

Gardner was the only Comet in double figures, as he scored 17 points. He also grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds. Junior Eric Ewing finished with eight points, while junior R.J. Haas came off the bench to score seven. Walker registered a team-best five assists.

Purdue Calumet (7-9) had three starters reach double digits in points. Sebree led the way with 22, while Danny Paschen and Ryan Rader had 12 and 11, respectively. Paschen also pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.

Olivet (1-10) now opens Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play next Wednesday, Jan. 6, when it travels to play Adrian College at 8 p.m.