Men’s basketball team falls to Northwood (Fla.), 81-65

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Olivet College men's basketball team wrapped-up the non-conference portion of its schedule with an 81-65 loss to Northwood (Fla.) University tonight at the Cruzin' Classic in West Palm Beach, Fla. The Seahawks are ranked No. 10 in the NAIA Division II Coaches Poll and coached by Rollie Massimino, who led Villanova University to the 1985 NCAA Division I National Championship.

The teams traded large scoring runs throughout the first half. Northwood opened the half with a 9-0 run. The Comets battled back and made it a two-point game, 12-10, with 12:15 left in the half. Northwood answered with a 13-2 scoring spurt to take a 25-12 lead with under 10 minutes remaining. Olivet had an answer and trimmed its deficit down to four points, 29-25.

The Seahawks had the final run in the first half, outscoring the Comets 11-6 (including a 10-0 stretch) to take a 40-31 lead into the locker rooms. Northwood maintained a double digit lead for all but the first one minute, 24 seconds of the second half.

One night after shooting better than 60 percent, Olivet was 23-of-67 for 34.3 percent, shot 22.7 percent (5-of-22) from behind the arc and 14-of-22 (63.6 percent) from the free throw line. The Seahawks were better at 50 percent (27-of-54), 42.1 percent (8-of-19) and 82.6 percent (19-of-23), respectively.

Senior Michael McClary (Bellaire) was held to 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Senior Nathan Jennings (Grant) added 12 points. Jennings and McClary each grabbed eight rebounds. Sophomore Matt El (Allegan) came off the bench to score eight points, pull down five rebounds and block two shots. Senior Joe Post (Olivet) dished out five assists.

The Comets will now be idle until Wednesday, Jan. 5, when they open Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play by welcoming the Albion College Britons to The Cutler Event Center for a 7:30 p.m. game.