Gardner breaks Olivet single-game scoring record with 50 points in 97-85 loss to Alma

OLIVET, Mich. – Senior Lee Gardner broke the Olivet College single-game scoring record with 50 points, but the Olivet College men's basketball team ended the 2015-16 season with a 97-85 loss to Alma College tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

In addition, Gardner broke the Olivet single-game record with 30 field goal attempts and tied the single-game benchmark with eight three-pointers made. His 18 field goals made and 14 three-point attempts were one shy of tying the single-game marks. Among NCAA Division III men's basketball players this season, the 50 points ties for the seventh-most and the 18 field goals made is the tied for the second-most in a game. Also of note, Gardner was one point shy of tying the MIAA record for points by one player in a regulation game.

In the first half, Gardner scored 10 of the Comets' first 13 points, as they built a nine-point lead, 13-4. The Scots fought back and cut their deficit down to two pints, 23-21, with 7:44 left before halftime. Olivet pushed its lead back to six points, 27-21, before Alma used a 9-2 run to take its first lead of the game, 30-29.

The teams traded baskets until the Scots seized a five-point cushion, 37-32, at the 3:22 mark. The Comets answered with a 7-0 scoring sport over the next two minutes to regain the lead, 39-37. Kevin Gamble made a three-pointer to put Alma back on top by one point, 40-39, at halftime.

There were two lead changes in the first two minutes and 16 seconds of the second half. The Scots went ahead a 45-44 on a jump shot by Scott Nikodemski. Alma led for the rest of the game, leading by as many as 22 points, 78-56, with 8:49 remaining in the game. Gardner scored the final 20 points for Olivet in the game, including three baskets from behind the arc in the final minute.

In addition to his 50 points, Gardner grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Junior Eric Ewing joined him in double figures with 12 points. Junior Zach Walker had four assists.

All five Scot starters scored in double figures, and a sixth player came off the bench to score in double digits. Nikodemski topped the team with 19 points. Jason Beckman added 17. DJ Beckman contributed 12, Chase Fairchild had 11, and Doug Bradfield and Trevor Gernaat each scored 10. Kevin Gamble pulled down a team-best eight rebounds.

NOTES: The previous Olivet single-game scoring record was 43 points by Michael McClary at Trine (Ind.) University on Jan. 19, 2011. The MIAA single-game scoring record is 51 points by Dan Shinabarger from Hope on Feb. 21, 1970.