Men’s basketball team comes up short against Northwood, 76-66

The Olivet College men's basketball team came up short against non-conference foe Northwood University, 76-66, tonight at the Bennett Center in Midland.

The Timberwolves opened the game with a 9-2 run in the first four minutes, 38 seconds. The Comets responded with a 9-1 run to take an 11-10 lead at the 11:56 mark. Over the next seven minutes, neither team led by more than three points. Following a 20-20 tie, Olivet scored nine straight points to take its largest lead of the half, 29-20, with just under three minutes left on the clock. Northwood closed the half by scoring 10 of the last 12 points to cut its deficit to one point, 31-30.

In the second half, the Timberwolves took a 34-33 lead and did not relinquish their lead. They went up by as many as nine points before the Comets closed to within one point, 63-62, with 4:50 left in the game. Northwood stretched its lead back to as many as 10 points, as they made five of six free throws in the final 30 seconds.

For the game, senior Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) led Olivet with 12 points and three assists. Senior Brandon Way (Detroit/Southwestern) joined him in double figures with 11 points. Junior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) contributed nine points and grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds.

Tony Marcotullio scored a game-high 18 points for the Timberwolves. Off the bench, Alex Kvitnitsky tallied a double-double, 13 points and 13 rebounds. Antonio Harrison also finished with 13 points.

The Comets will take a short break for the Thanksgiving holiday and return to action Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 24-25, when they participate in the Hanover (Ind.) College Invitational. On Saturday evening, Olivet will play the host Panthers at 6 p.m. The consolation and championship games are Sunday afternoon at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.