Men’s basketball team loses to Monmouth 78-62 in consolation game of Zimmerman Classic

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Olivet College men's basketball team lost 78-62 to Monmouth (Ill.) College 78-62 in the consolation game of the Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Classic, hosted by Wittenberg (Ohio) University in Springfield, Ohio. For his efforts, junior Matt El (Allegan) was named to the all-tournament team.

The Scots scored the first 11 points of the game and eventually built their lead to as many as 16 points, 27-11, at the 9:45 mark. Olivet came back with a 23-7 run to trail by just three points, 34-31, with 2:55 left before the break. Monmouth put the final four points on the scoreboard in the first half and took a 38-31 lead into the locker rooms. The Comets would get no closer than six points during the rest of the game.

Three Olivet starters reached double figures in the scoring column, led by junior Alvino Ashley's (Detroit/MLK) 15 points. El and senior Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) each scored 13 points. Ashley grabbed 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season and second in a row. El swatted four shots to raise his season total to 28. Freshman Paul Lombard (New Era/Montague) scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

For the Scots, Kenny Foster led all players with 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting and also pulled down 15 rebounds. Michael DeDecker scored 21.

Olivet will now travel to play Albion College in its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener next Tuesday, Jan. 4, at Albion College, starting at 7:30 p.m.