Hill’s career-best 28 points lead men’s basketball team to 81-72 win against Kalamazoo

OLIVET, Mich. – Junior DaunTrell Hill (Grand Rapids/Wyoming Godwin Heights) scored a career-best 28 points to lead four double figure scorers and help the Olivet College men's basketball team beat Kalamazoo College, 81-72, this evening at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

For the game, Olivet shot 44.1 percent (30-of-68) from the floor to 30.8 percent (20-of-65) for Kalamazoo. The Hornets made one more three-pointer than the Comets and were 24-of-29 from the charity stripe.

Hill made 8-of-17 baskets, including three shots from behind the arc, and 9-of-10 free throws for his 28 points. Sophomore Blake Krum (Schoolcraft) played a solid game, with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. Senior Dakotah Ellis (Birch Run) posted his first double-double, 17 points and 10 rebounds, of the season to go along with four blocks. Senior Garner Small (Schoolcraft) joined them in double figures with 17 points.

There were three tied scores and one lead change in the first six minutes of the game. Olivet took the lead for good when Hill made a pair of free throws at the 13:56 mark. After the Comets led by six, 22-16, with 7:53 left in the opening half, they went on a 15-3 over the next four minutes to take their largest lead, 37-19.

The Hornets scored nine straight points to trim their deficit in half, 37-28. Olivet put four of the last five points on the scoreboard to lead 41-29 at halftime.

In the second half, Kalamazoo chipped away at its deficit and trailed by only one, 49-48, at the 13:43 mark. The Hornets never got any closer for the rest of the game.

Kalamazoo was led by Mark Ghafari and Eric Fishman, who scored 24 and 23 points, respectively. Ghafari also pulled down 10 rebounds. Adam Peters contributed 12 points.

The Comets return to the court Saturday when they host Alma College at 3 p.m.