Men’s basketball team slips past Alma, 88-85, in overtime

ALMA, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team closed out the regular season portion of its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) schedule with an 88-85 overtime win at Alma College today at Art Smith Arena.

• Final Score: Olivet 88, Alma 85 (OT)
• Location: Art Smith Arena; Alma, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 11-14 overall, 7-7 MIAA; Alma 6-19 overall, 3-11 MIAA

• In the first half, the Comets surged ahead 18-12 at the 13:40 mark. The Scots scored 10 straight points to take a 22-18 lead with 11:53 showing on the clock. Alma maintained a four-point cushion until Olivet used 7-0 run to turn a 27-23 deficit into a 30-27 lead at the 8:31 mark. The Comets extended their advantage to 10 points, 44-34, after senior Ryan Robinette drained a three-pointer with 3:48 left until halftime. The Scots scored six of the final nine points of the half to trail 47-40 at the break.
• Alma battled back in the second half to take a 58-56 lead at the 14:12 mark. The Scots continued to hold the lead until the final minute of regulation. Down by three, 78-75, junior Ryan Bart split two free throws. After missing the second, Robinette grabbed the offensive rebound and a few seconds later made the tying basket. There was no more scoring, and the game went to overtime.
• To start overtime, Bart drained a three-pointer before the Scots answered with a three to level the score at 81-81. Senior Derrick Johnson responded with a three-pointer and Alma missed a three at the other end of the court. Bart connected on triple to put Olivet ahead by six points, 87-81, around the midpoint of the overtime period. The Comets did not trail for the rest of the extra period despite the Scots having a couple chances to tie the game.

• Robinette and senior Noah Wiswary posted double-doubles to lead Olivet. Robinette scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Wiswary had 13 points and 12 rebounds.
• Johnson finished with 19 points, with five three-pointers.
• Bart tallied 16 points.

• Landen Moore-Pierce scored a team-leading 22 points.
• Connor Riley registered a double-double with 18 points and game-high 14 rebounds.
• Colton Meister also had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

• Olivet hosts a first-round game of the 2023 MIAA Tournament next Wednesday, January 22. The opponent and game time will be announced by the league office tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.