Men’s basketball team gives up second-half lead in 79-69 loss at Alma

ALMA, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team led Alma College by 10 points early in the second half before the Scots rallied to beat the Comets, 79-69, tonight at Art Smith Arena in Alma.

Neither team led by more than three points in the first half until Olivet took a four-point lead, 22-18, with 10:59 mark. The Scots came back with a 6-2 run to tie the game at 24-24. The Comets answered with a 13-6 run to take their largest lead, 37-30, with 4:48 left in the half. Undeterred, Alma ended the half on an 8-4 run to trail by only three points, 41-38, at the break.

In the second half, Olivet built its lead to 10 points, 54-44, with 15:07 left. The Scots answered with an 11-0 run to take a 55-54 lead. The Comets got a layup to re-gain the lead, 56-55, before Alma grabbed the lead back on a three-pointer and did not give it up for the rest of the game.

For the game, Alma made 31-of-60 baskets (51.7 percent), including 16-of-29 (55.2 percent) in the second half. Olivet was held to 45.5 percent (30-of-66) shooting.

Senior Garner Small (Schoolcraft) finished with a double-double, 28 points and 12 rebounds, for the Comets. Sophomore Blake Krum (Schoolcraft) joined him in double digits with 21 points. Junior DaunTrell Hill (Grand Rapids/Wyoming Godwin Heights) had 12 points. Freshman T.J. Vondette (Hemlock) pulled down 10 rebounds, dished out two assists and made three steals.

The Scots were led by DJ Beckman's game-high 29 points. Isiah Law finished with 13 points and team-high seven rebounds, while Brandon Krause scored 11 points.

The Comets are back in action Saturday afternoon when they host Adrian College at The Cutler Event Center at 3 p.m. Prior to the men's game, the Olivet women will host Albion College at 1 p.m.