Men’s basketball team loses close game to Alma, 84-81

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team lost a close game to Alma College, 84-81, this evening at the Cutler Event Center. Tonight's game was the first home contest of the 2020-21 season as well as the first basketball game inside the Cutler Event in 410 days.

Final Score: Alma 84, Olivet 81
Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
Records: Alma 2-3 overall, Olivet 0-9 overall

• The Scots scored the first seven points of the game. Olivet chipped away at its deficit and eventually led for the first time at 16-15 with 12:19 left in the opening half. The teams traded points over the next nine minutes, creating five tied scores. After the last time at 34-34, the Comets led by seven points twice. Alma made the score 45-40 before junior Derrick Johnson nailed a half-court shot at the buzzer to put Olivet ahead 48-40 at halftime.
• The Comets opened the second half with a 9-3 run to take their largest lead of the game, 57-43. Olivet led one more time by 14 points, 59-45, at the 14:56 mark. Alma answered with a 12-4 scoring spurt to trim their deficit down to six points. The Comets extended their advantage back to 12 points, 73-61, with 7:38 remaining.
• The Scots battled back and seized a three-point lead, 82-79, at the 1:20 mark. There was no more scoring until a basket by sophomore Britton Angell closed the gap to one point with 7.7 seconds left. Alma made two free throws to make the score 84-81. A last-second three-point attempt for Olivet was off the mark.

• Five Olivet players scored in double figures, led by junior Ryan Robinette's 22 points.
• Senior Delbert Redfield contributed 14 points.
• Angell posted a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing a team-best 10 rebounds.
• Senior Eddie Thigpen also scored 13 points.
• Senior Chris Martin added 10 points.

• Cole Kleiver scored 18 points, including 14-of-16 shooting from the free throw line.
• Isaiah Williamson also netted 18 points.
• Brandon Rake had 14 points.
• Nate Deyman finished with 13 points.
• Gabe Bourdeau pulled down a game-best 11 rebounds.

• "We see it all the time in sports," said Olivet head coach Sam Hargraves. "It can be very hard to play with a lead. For this team, it is the first time being in that position, which is a good thing. We have been playing nothing but catch-up in the second half all year. This is part of learning how to win, and close a game. Credit goes to Alma, they hung around and pulled out a win two road games in a row now."

• The Comets are on the road Saturday to play Calvin University. Tip-off at Van Noord Arena in Grand Rapids is at 3 p.m.