Ewing’s career-high 22 points lead men’s basketball team to 79-72 win at Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Junior Eric Ewing scored a career- and game-high 22 points to lead the Olivet College men's basketball team to a 79-72 win over Kalamazoo College this afternoon for its first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association win of the season.

Ewing made 8-of-14 baskets, including five from three-point range, for his 22 points. His previous scoring high was 14 points against Capital (Ohio) University earlier this season. Senior Lee Gardner finished with 21 points, including 11 from the charity stripe, and game-best 13 rebounds for his third double-double this season. Junior Chris Chrzan joined them in double figures with 10 points. As a team, Olivet posted season-highs in three-pointers made (13) and rebounds (47).

After the Hornets made the first basket of the game, Chrzan put the Comets ahead 3-2 with a three-pointer from the left wing. That basket started an 11-0 run for Olivet. Kalamazoo responded with a 6-1 scoring spurt to trim their deficit down to only four points, 12-8, at the 14:27 mark.

The Comets then saw their lead grow to 20 points, 41-21, with 2:44 remaining before halftime. Mike Oravetz drained a free throw to complete an old-fashioned three-point play late in the first half to help the Hornets close to 11 points, 44-33. A layup and then a free throw by freshman Nick Niznak put Olivet back up by 14 points, 47-33, at the break.

Kalamazoo made a furious comeback in the second half to tie the game at 66-66 with 6:59 remaining in regulation. The Comets used a 7-0 run – five consecutive points by Ewing and two free throws by Gardner to take the lead back, and they never trailed for the rest of the game.  

Chase Baysdell started for the Hornets and scored 20 points, while Demarco Dickerson came off the bench and also scored 20. He also grabbed a team-best eight rebounds. Adam Dykema added 14 points.

The Comets host Albion College next Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m.