Men’s basketball team rallies to beat Spalding, 66-63

HOLLAND, Mich. –  The Olivet College men's basketball team scored the final eight points of the game to rally past Spalding (Ky.) University, 66-63, tonight in second day of the Russ DeVette/Holland Sentinel Classic inside the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland. After the game, senior Eric Ewing was named to the all-tournament team.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Olivet 66, Spalding 63
Location: DeVos Fieldhouse; Holland, Mich.
Records: Olivet 4-6 overall, Spalding 1-10 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Golden Eagles took an eight-point lead, 19-11, at the midpoint of the opening half.
• The Comets made three straight three-pointers – one by senior Aaron Washington and two by senior Kevin Woodson – to put them ahead 20-19.
• Spalding took the lead back on a pair of free throws before two free throws by Woodson handed the lead to Olivet.
• The Golden Eagles grabbed the lead back, 23-22, with two more free throws.
• Spalding then led by three points on three occasions, including the last time being 29-26.
• Olivet scored four straight points to gain a 30-29 lead.
• The Golden Eagles answered with two free throws for a 31-30 lead.
• Sophomore Thomas Tsalkitzis drained a three-pointer to make the score 33-31.
• Spalding scored a basket right before the buzzer to tie the game at 33-33 at halftime.
• The first part of the second half was back-and-forth, as neither team had a lead of more than four points.
• The Golden Eagles took the largest lead for either team, 53-47, at the 8:55 mark.
• The Comets fought back and closed the gap to one point, 55-54.
• Spalding answered with four consecutive points for a 59-54 advantage.
• The Golden Eagles led by five points two more times, including 63-58 with 2:35 remaining in the contest.
• Ewing made back-to-back baskets to make the score 63-62.
• Tsalkitzis drained a pair of tosses from the charity stripe to put Olivet ahead 64-63 with 1:04 left.
• Spalding had a couple chances to score the go-ahead basket but missed three shots.
• With 2.7 seconds left, senior R.J. Haas made two free throws to seal the Comets' win.

FOR THE COMETS

• Woodson and senior Chris Chrzan scored 12 points apiece.
• Washington had 11 points.
• Chrzan and Haas each grabbed six rebounds.

FOR THE GOLDEN EAGLES                           

• Rylan Rowe led all scorers with 21 points.
• Nick Trisko posted a double-double, 16 points and 12 rebounds.

UP NEXT

• Olivet plays at NCAA Division I foe Miami University of Ohio next Thursday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.