Men’s basketball team beats Union (Ky.), 83-80, for first win of season
Playing its fourth game in five days to start the 2012-13 campaign, the Olivet College men’s basketball team defeated Union (Ky.) College, 83-80, tonight at John M. Robsion Memorial Arena in Barbourville, Ky.
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Playing its fourth game in five days to start the 2012-13 campaign, the Olivet College men's basketball team defeated Union (Ky.) College, 83-80, tonight at John M. Robsion Memorial Arena in Barbourville, Ky.
The Comets held the lead until the Bulldogs came back to take their first lead, 11-10. Olivet answered with a 4-0 run to take a 14-11 lead. Union came back with its own 5-0 run to take a 16-14 lead with 13:14 left in the first half. After the Comets tied the game on a basket by freshman Jeff Cain (Lansing/Sexton), the Bulldogs responded with a 3-pointer for a 19-16 lead.
Olivet came back with its own 11-0 run to take the largest lead of the game for either team at 27-19. The teams exchanged baskets before the Comets went on another big scoring run to take a 16-point lead, 39-23, with 4:13 left in the half. Union scored 11 of the final 16 points of the half to trail by only 10, 44-34, at the break.
The Bulldogs slowly chipped away at their deficit and only trailed by one point, 69-68. The Comets continued to lead until Union tied the game at 80-80 with 45.8 seconds left in regulation. Senior Garner Small (Schoolcraft) made a layup to put Olivet back up two, 82-80, with 18 seconds remaining.
On their ensuing possession, the Bulldogs turned the ball over when a player stepped on the baseline. Small canned one-of-two free throws with five seconds left to seal the Comets' win. Union's last second three-point attempt fell short.
Junior DaunTrell Hill (Grand Rapids/Wyoming Godwin Heights) scored 25 points and dished out nine assists to lead all players. Small contributed 24 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Blake Krum (Schoolcraft) also grabbed seven rebounds.
Olivet will return to Michigan tonight and host Purdue University Calumet (Ind.) Saturday for its home-opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. The game is a part of a basketball doubleheader in Olivet, as the Comet women will host Manchester (Ind.) University in the first game at 3 p.m.
