Men’s Basketball: Olivet rallies but falls short against Alma, 71-70

OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet men's basketball team started a four-game homestand by losing a close game, 71-70, to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Alma College tonight at the Cutler Event Center.

• Final Score: Alma 71, Olivet 70
• Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 2-16 overall, 0-7 MIAA; Alma 9-9 overall, 3-4 MIAA

• The first nine minutes and 32 seconds of the game featured 10 lead changes and four tied scores. After going ahead 19-18, the Comets scored the next five points on a jumper by freshman Aden Hathaway and a three-pointer by junior Nolan Finkbeiner. Olivet maintained a six-point cushion on four more occasions. After the fourth time at 36-30 with 3:49 left until halftime, the Scots scored 10 unanswered points to go up 40-36. Olivet closed the gap to a point at halftime when senior Ryan Bart canned three free throws.
• After Alma made a basket to start the second half, the Comets responded with two baskets to go up 43-42. The Scots came back with a layup to regain the lead. Alma stretched its lead to 11 points, 59-48, at the 8:59 mark. The Scots led one more time by 11 at 61-50. Olivet chipped away at its deficit and eventually got it down to one point, 71-70, with 43 seconds remaining. Alma missed a basket and freshman Conner Schipper grabbed the defensive rebound. Following a timeout, a last-second shot for the Comets was off the mark.

• Finkbeiner came off the bench to score a team-high 14 points, with four three-pointers.
• Schipper posted a double-double with 12 points and game-best 12 rebounds.
• Bart and freshman Nathan Richardson each tallied 10 points.
• Senior Noah Wiswary recorded eight assists.

• "We scored 8 points in the first 11:00 or so minutes in the second half," said Olivet head coach Sam Hargraves. "That's where the game was lost. I am very proud of how we clawed our way back into it, and proud of the last shot we were able to get out of a broken play, and some great decision making by our guys. I liked the way we played to get back into the game, where we scored 20 points in the last 8:23. We must play 40 minutes with that type of urgency and pace."

• Olivet hosts Kalamazoo College Saturday at 3 p.m. The game is Community Day, as residents Olivet, Bellevue, Charlotte, Eaton Rapids and Potterville will be admitted for free with proof of residence.