Men’s basketball team loses to Wittenberg, 55-49, in first round of Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Tournament

The Olivet College men's basketball team fell to the host Tigers, 55-49, in the first round of the Wittenberg University Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Tournament inside the Pam Evans Smith Arena in Springfield, Ohio. Olivet will face Ohio Dominican University in the consolation game tomorrow at 2:15 p.m.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair. Wittenberg led by as many as five points, while Olivet's largest lead was four points twice in the early stages of the half. The Tigers led by one point, 28-27, at the break. In the second half, Wittenberg stretched its lead to eight points, 47-39, with 6:50 left in the game. The Comets answered with a 10-1 run to regain the lead, 49-48, at the 2:59 mark. Wittenberg closed the game by scoring the final seven points to earn the victory and advance to play Marian (Ind.) College in the championship game.

Junior Nathan Jennings (Grant) led all scorers with 18 points, including 15 in the first half. Junior Michael McClary (Bellaire) scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season.

For the Tigers, Gregg Hill was the only player in double figures with 12 points. Clayton Black, Josh McKee and Mark Snyder were next with nine points apiece. Snyder also pulled down a team-leading 10 rebounds.