Men’s basketball team defeated by Albion, 95-85

ALBION, Mich. – Playing its eighth straight game on the road, the Olivet College men's basketball team was defeated by rival Albion College, 95-85, tonight at Kresge Gymnasium.

Final Score: Albion 95, Olivet 85
Location: Kresge Gymnasium; Albion, Michigan
Records: Albion 2-0 overall, Olivet 0-8 overall

• The majority of the first half was back-and-forth, as Albion took the largest lead for either team at six points, 31-25, with 5:25 remaining until halftime. The Comets battled back and closed their deficit down to two points, 36-34. The Britons then went on an 8-2 run for a 44-36 advantage with under a minute left. Olivet put four of the final six points on the scoreboard to trail by six points, 46-40, at the halftime break.
• The Comets were not able to draw any closer during the second half. Albion led by as many as 18 points.

• Senior Delbert Redfield provided a spark off the bench, scoring 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from behind the arc.
• Senior Eddie Thigpen also scored 15 points.
• Senior Chris Martin and junior Ryan Robinette each tallied 13 points.
• Sophomore Britton Angell added 11 points.

• Cortez Garland led all scorers with 37 points.
• MJ Barnes contributed 17 points.
• Caden Ebling finished with 13 points and grabbed a game-best nine rebounds.

• "If you take away the first five minutes of the second half when Albion just out-toughed us, I am pretty happy with our effort tonight," said Olivet head coach Sam Hargraves. "Albion has the culture and level of confidence that we would like our program to have someday. They have earned that over time. Tonight was a very good learning experience for our group."

• The Comets will host Alma College next Wednesday, February 3. Tip-off from the Cutler Event Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. A reminder per MIAA policy, spectators are not permitted to attend the game. Fans can watch the game at www.youtube.com/OlivetCollegeAthletics.