Men’s basketball team falls to Anderson, 86-75

ANDERSON, Ind. – The Olivet College men's basketball team let a second-half lead slip away in an 86-75 setback to Anderson (Ind.) University this afternoon at the O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

Final Score: Anderson 86, Olivet 75
Location: O.C. Lewis Gymnasium; Anderson, Indiana
Records: Anderson 4-0 overall, Olivet 1-1 overall

• The first 14 minutes of the game was back-and-forth, as neither team led by more than one possession. The Comets seized the largest lead of the game at 26-22 when senior Eddie Thigpen made a layup with 6:10 showing on the clock. Four straight points for the Ravens tied the game before a three-pointer by junior Jameson Pavelka put Olivet ahead 29-26.
• Anderson countered with an 11-3 run to go up 37-32 at the 1:09 mark. Junior Noah Wiswary made a free throw to complete a three-point play to make the score 37-35. The Ravens answered with a three-pointer. Pavelka made a free throw and senior Tevin Ali tipped-in a shot at the buzzer to make the score 40-38 at halftime.
• The Comets went ahead 41-40 after senior Derrick Johnson nailed a three-pointer 37 seconds into the second half. Anderson responded with a triple to regain the lead 43-41. A 10-1 Olivet run made the score 51-44 at the 13:58 mark. The Ravens chipped away at their deficit and eventually tied the game at 62-62 with 6:52 left in the game.
• A three-pointer by Johnson put the Comets ahead. Six straight points for Anderson made the score 68-65. Olivet was not able to get any closer for the rest of the game.

• Four starters reached double figures in the scoring column.
• Johnson led the way with 16 points.
• Thigpen added 14 points.
• Ali and Wiswary each scored 12 points.
• Ali grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

"Even though we lost today, it was a nice step in the right direction," said Olivet head coach Sam Hargraves. "It's always tough to play a solid team like Anderson on its home floor. We had some nice stretches in the game. We are still learning how to play together. We are still learning who we are in certain situations, especially playing with a lead in the second half. I've also only been a part of a few games during my coaching career when an opponent shoots 47 free throws. We apparently have got a lot to clean up as far as fouling. I do have to credit their best players for stepping up and making some big plays down the stretch when they had to."

• Maurice Knight led all players with 19 points.
• Austin Lyons contributed 17 points.
• Camden Smith came off the bench to score 15 points and pull down nine rebounds.
• Francis Uzorh finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

• Olivet heads to New York next Saturday and Saturday, November 27-28, to play in the University of Rochester Thanksgiving Tournament. On Saturday afternoon, the Comets play Elmire (N.Y.) College at 4 p.m. The consolation and championship games are Saturday at 12 and 2 p.m., respectively.