Men’s basketball team loses to Aquinas 68-62 in home-opener

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team fell to Aquinas College, 68-62, tonight in its home- and season-opener at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

In the first half, the Comets built a pair of 5-point leads, 7-2 and 17-12. Aquinas used a 6-1 run to tie the score at 18-18. The Saints then took their first lead of the game, 23-22. Olivet responded to take a 29-28 lead at halftime.

The score was knotted at 36-36 in the early stages of the second half. Aquinas then went on a 10-0 scoring spurt to take the first double digit lead of the game. The Comets scored six straight points to trim their deficit down to four points, 46-42. Another big run by Saints pushed their lead to as many as 11 points on two occasions. Olivet did not quit and got as close as four points down the stretch.

For the game, the Comets shot 38.3 percent (23-of-60) from the field. Freshman Marquis Childers (Muskegon Heights) scored a team-high 19 points and dished out five assists in his Olivet debut. Seniors Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) and Eric Mack (Eastpointe/Roseville) each scored 10 points. Junior Dakotah Ellis (Birch Run) grabbed a team-leading eight rebounds, as the Comets out-rebounded Aquinas 36-33.

For the Saints, Cole Moore posted game-highs in points (22) and rebounds (nine). Jake Shockey joined him in double figures with 15 points.

Olivet (0-1) is back in action this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, when it participates in the 2011 MIAA-WHAC Challenge at University of Michigan-Dearborn. On Friday night, the Comets play Madonna University at 6 p.m., and on Saturday night, they play the host Wolves at approximately 7:15 p.m.