Men’s basketball team loses to Calvin, 74-58

Junior Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) tied his season-high with 22 points as the Olivet College men's basketball team was defeated by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Calvin College, 74-58, this evening at the Upton Center in Olivet.

In the first 11 minutes of the game, neither team led by more than four points. Following a 19-19 tie with 10:22 left in the first half, Cooper scored seven straight points (a three-pointer and four free throws) to give the Comets their biggest lead of the half, 26-19. The Comets (3-12, 1-4 MIAA) would lead by seven points two more times with the last time being 31-24 at the 4:26 mark. The Knights (8-7, 3-2 MIAA) battled back and tied the game at 37-37 when Caleb Veldhouse made a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer.

The second half started out similar to the first half as there were six ties and four lead changes. The only difference was Calvin took control of the game after the last tie. With the score tied at 52-52, the Knights outscored Olivet, 22-6, in the final 9:24.

Cooper made six-of-11 baskets and eight-of-10 free throws for his 22 points. Freshman Andy Sierminski (Jackson/Lumen Christi) came off the bench to score 12 points, while junior Brandon Way (Detroit/ Southwestern) added 10 points. Sophomore Eric McCoy (Charlotte) and junior Paul Smith (Napoleon) each grabbed five rebounds.

Josh Meckes recorded a double-double, 18 points and 10 rebounds, to lead the Knights. Veldhouse chipped in with 16 points and Derek Griffin had 16.

The Comets look to bounce back from this loss when they host Kalamazoo College Saturday, Jan. 20, at 3 p.m.