Men’s basketball team beats Alma, 66-54

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team had a balanced scoring attack to beat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Alma College, 66-54, this afternoon at the Cutler Event Center.

• Final Score: Olivet 66, Alma 54
• Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 6-9 overall, 2-2 MIAA; Alma 4-11 overall, 1-3 MIAA

• The first five minutes of the game featured two tied scores and three lead changes. Olivet took a 10-7 lead when senior Derrick Johnson drained a three-pointer. The Comets kept the lead and eventually stretched it to 15 points, 30-15, with 2:47 left in the first half. The Scots put six straight points on the scoreboard before a fast-break layup by junior Ryan Bart made the score 32-21 at halftime.
• To start the second half, Alma went on a 12-4 run to trim its deficit down to three points, 36-33, at the 15:19 mark. Olivet pushed its lead back to double digits, 43-33, before a 7-0 Scot spurt made the score 43-40. Alma did not get any closer for the rest of the game.

• Freshman Haidyn Garrison posted a double-double, 10 points and 10 rebounds.
• Johnson finished with nine points.
• Senior Ryan Robbinette and sophomore Mason Wichman each scored eight points.
• Bart and sophomore Lorris Upshaw nearly had double-doubles, with eight points and 11 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
• As a team, Olivet outrebounded Alma, 64-42.

• Tyshaun Walker scored a game-high 20 points.
• Connor Riley was next with seven points.
• Riley and Peyton Bush each grabbed eight rebounds.

• The Comets travel to play Albion College next Wednesday, January 18. Tip-off at Kresge Gymnasium is 7:30 p.m.