Men’s basketball team stung by Kalamazoo, 98-92

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball was defeated by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Kalamazoo College, 98-92, tonight inside the Cutler Event Center.

Final Score: Kalamazoo 98, Olivet 92
Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
Records: Kalamazoo 5-14 overall, 2-6 MIAA; Olivet 5-16 overall, 2-8 MIAA

• The Hornets raced out to an 11-2 lead in the first two minutes of the game. The Comets closed the gap to three points on three occasions, including 25-22, at the 13:18 mark. Kalamazoo pushed its lead back to 14 points, 50-36, with six minutes left until halftime. Olivet used a 15-4 run to trim its deficit down to three points. The Hornets drained their 12th three-pointer of the first half to go up six before a basket by freshman Lorris Upshaw made the score 57-53 at halftime.
• The Comets scored the first five points of the second half to take their first lead of the game. Olivet pushed its lead to three points three times. Down 64-61, Kalamazoo scored four straight points to go up 65-64. The teams traded baskets to create a pair of tied scores.
• Following the last tie at 71-71, the Hornets went on a 7-0 run. The Comets made the next basket before the Hornets stretched their lead back to double digits, 93-81, at the 4:57 mark. Olivet battled back to make it a four-point game, 96-92, with 22 seconds left. Two Kalamazoo free throws created the final score.
• For the game, the Hornets shot a sizzling 66.7 percent (36-of-54) from the floor, including 68.2 percent (15-of-22) from behind the arc. Olivet posted a 49.3 field goal percentage (34-of-69). The Comets had a 33-21 advantage in rebounding.

• Senior Derrick Johnson matched his career-high with 26 points, with six three-pointers. He also dished out five assists.
• Junior Noah Wiswary made his first five baskets, including four from three-point territory, and two free throws for 16 points.
• Junior Tevin Ali contributed 13 points.
• Senior Chris Martin added 12 points.
• Senior Dane Vos grabbed a game-high eight rebounds, including seven off the offensive glass.

• "Just like our score against Calvin game didn't indicate the real story of what happened since they really beat us much worse than the final score, tonight was the same story, but it doesn't tell how well we played," said Olivet head coach Sam Hargraves.
• "Tonight, was the most chemistry we've played with in quite a long time. Every game I've seen from Kalamazoo they play well together, run their system well and make good decisions. They also have better shooters than what they've shown, but their shooting tonight was amazing. Plus, every time we did make a mistake, they made us pay. I'm very happy with our much lower number of turnovers, especially in the second half."

• Ty Horkey led all scorers with 38 points on 14-of-18 shooting, with five triples, 5-of-8 free throws.
• DJ Courtney tallied 13 points and seven rebounds.
• Lukas Broadsword notched 12 points.
• Addison Atwater and Gabriel Sharp each had 11 points.

• The Comets and Hornets play each other Wednesday night at the Anderson Athletic Center in Kalamazoo. Tip-off is at 8 p.m.