Edsall scores 25 to lead men's basketball team to 85-77 overtime win

Senior Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) scored a career-high 25 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation, to lead the Olivet College men's basketball team to a 85-77 overtime win against Anderson (Ind.) University today at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. With the win, the Comets snap a four-game losing streak.

The first nine minutes and 28 seconds of the game was back-and-forth with four tied scores and six lead changes. The Ravens eventually took either team's largest lead at seven points, 33-26, with 1:34 left before halftime. Andrew Bowman put Anderson ahead 35-30 with a layup that just beat the halftime buzzer.

The Ravens continued to lead in the second half until the 8:38 mark when junior Dakotah Ellis (Birch Run) made a 3-pointer to make the score 51-50 in favor of Olivet. Andrew Larrick nailed a free throw to complete a 3-point play for Anderson before Olivet tied the game at 53-53 on a layup by junior Alvino Ashley (Detroit/Martin Luther King).

Anderson then scored seven straight points to go up 60-53 with five minutes left. The Comets fought back and cut their deficit down to two points twice. Brock Morrison made two free throws with 18 seconds left to make the score 66-63. After a timeout, Olivet brought the ball up and Edsall hit the tying 3-pointer.

The Comets won the jump ball to start the overtime, and after a pass, Edsall drained a 3-pointer to give them their first lead. Olivet then turned up the defensive pressure, forcing the Ravens to shoot 4-of-10 from the floor and 2-of-5 from the free throw line, while the Comets were 6-of-9 from the floor and perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe.  Edsall helped Olivet take its largest lead at 83-71 with 35 seconds remaining.

For the game, Edsall made seven baskets, including a career, single-game high five 3-pointers, and six free throws for his game-high 25 points. Ashley was a spark off the bench with 17 points and six rebounds. Senior Eric Mack (Eastpointe/Roseville) scored 12 and also grabbed six rebounds. Freshman Marquis Childers (Muskegon Heights) contributed 11 points. Junior Matt El (Allegan) had six rebounds and two blocks.

Morrison led the Ravens with 23 points and 11 rebounds.                  

The Comets (1-4) are now off until next Saturday, Dec. 3, when they travel to play Elmhurst (Ill.) College at 3 p.m. CT/4 p.m. ET.