Ellis’ triple lifts men’s basketball team to 52-49 win over Adrian

OLIVET, Mich. – Senior Dakotah Ellis (Birch Run) made a three-pointer with 6.6 seconds left to lift the Olivet College men's basketball team to a 52-49 win over Adrian College today at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

With the win, the Comets improve to 7-8 overall and 2-2 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The Bulldogs, who entered the week ranked No. 25 in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, now have a 12-3 overall record, including 1-3 mark against MIAA schools.

Olivet led the entire first half, building its advantage to as many as 16 points, 33-17, with 2:22 left before the break. The Bulldogs scored the final five points to trail only by 11 points, 33-22, at halftime.

Adrian opened the second half with a 10-2 run to cut its deficit down to three points, 35-32, with 12:47 remaining in the game. The Comets scored straight points to push their lead back to seven, 39-32, before the Bulldogs responded with a 10-1 run to take their first lead of the game, 42-40.

Olivet grabbed the lead back, 44-42, on four free throws by senior Garner Small (Schoolcraft). Adrian tied the game and took a 46-44 lead before sophomore Blake Krum (Schoolcraft) hit a three-pointer to give the lead back to the Comets, 47-46.

Olivet made the score 49-46 on a layup from freshman Jeff Cain (Lansing/Sexton) at the 2:49 mark. From there, the teams traded turnovers and missed shots for the next two minutes. Cody Barnes nailed a three-pointer to knot the score at 49-49 with 33.9 seconds left. After the Comets called a timeout, Ellis hit the game-winning three-pointer. Overall for the game, the score was tied four times and there were four lead changes.

Olivet used a balanced scoring attack, as Krum led all players with 12 points. Freshman T.J. Vondette (Hemlock) added nine points in his first collegiate start, while Small and junior DaunTrell Hill (Grand Rapids/Wyoming Godwin Heights) had eight and seven, respectively. Cain posted team-highs in rebounds (six) and assists (3).

Adrian had three players reach double digits in the scoring column, led by Eric Lewis' 13. Barnes scored 11 and Sean Gallant had 10 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Comets travel to play Trine (Ind.) University next Wednesday at 8 p.m.