Ali’s double-double powers men’s basketball team past Wittenberg, 83-80, in overtime thriller

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Tevin Ali posted a double-double (32 points and 23 rebounds) to help the Olivet College men's basketball team hang on for an 83-80 overtime win against Wittenberg (Ohio) University this evening at the Radio City Classic at the Student Activities Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

• Final Score: Olivet 83, Wittenberg 80 (OT)
• Location: Student Activities Center; Nashville, Tennessee
• Records: Olivet 4-7 overall, Wittenberg 5-6 overall

• Ali made 12-of-19 baskets and 8-of-12 free throws for his 32 points. Seven of his 23 rebounds were on the offensive glass. 
• Senior Noah Wiswary joined him in double figures with 12 points, with 10 coming at the free throw line.
• Sophomore Mason Wichman came off the bench to score 10 points.

• Ali's 23 rebounds are the third-most in a game in school history. Gordon Lofts holds the top two marks – 28 against Oakland University on February 10, 1968, and 26 against Hope College on March 2, 1968. In addition, the 23 rebounds are tied for the second-most by ALL NCAA men's basketball player this season. A DIII player grabbed 24, and there are five other players (two DIII, two DI and one DII) with 23.
• As a team, Olivet posted a 39.7 field goal percentage (25-of-63) to go along with a 60.4 free throw percentage (29-of-48). The 48 free throw attempts match the school record for most in a game.
• The Comets out-rebounded the Tigers, 58-44, with the 58 being tied for the third-most in a game in school history. It is the most against an NCAA Division III school. The other three marks were 67 vs. Saginaw Valley State University (January 30, 1971), 65 vs. Oakland (February 10, 1968) and 58 vs. Andrews University (November 18, 2005).
• Tonight's game was the fourth all-time meeting against the Tigers. However, it was the first on a neutral-site court, as the previous three games were at Wittenberg. The Tigers won the three previous games – 55-49 (December 29, 2009), 71-58 (December 28, 2007) and 73-72 (November 30, 2003).

• The Comets went ahead 12-4 at the 15:26 mark after Ali's slam dunk. The Tigers chipped away at their deficit and took their first lead of the game, 21-20, with 9:35 left until halftime. Wittenberg made another basket before a 5-0 run put Olivet ahead by three points, 26-23. The Tigers answered with a 7-2 spurt to go up by two points. Senior Derrick Johnson nailed a three-pointer to help the Comets take a one-point lead, 31-28, at halftime.
• In the first four minutes and five seconds of the second half, Olivet scored 14 straight points to gain its largest lead of the game, 45-28. The Tigers roared back and made it a one-point game, 71-70, with 1:04 left in the game. Wittenberg missed a go-ahead three-pointer. Ali split two free throws with 15 seconds remaining to make the score 72-70. An offensive rebound and put-back basket for the Tigers at the buzzer sent the game to overtime.
• In the overtime period, Wittenberg grabbed a five-point lead, 80-75, at the 2:21 mark. An old-fashioned three-point play and a layup by Ali leveled the score. The Comets missed a three-pointer on its next possession, but Ali was fouled when grabbing the rebound. He made both free throws to put Olivet ahead 82-80. Wittenberg missed a wide open three at the other end of the floor. Senior Derrick Johnson hauled in the rebound and was promptly fouled. He canned one free throw. A last-second three-point attempt for Wittenberg was off the mark.

• Jerry Saunders, Jr. scored a team-leading 20 points.
• Cameron Harrison provided 14 points.
• Trey Killens was the lone starter to reach double figures, as he had 12 points.
• Levi Boettcher grabbed nine rebounds.

• Olivet starts Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play next Wednesday, January 4, when it hosts Adrian College. Tip-off from the Cutler Event Center is at 7:30 p.m.