Men’s basketball team beats Trine, 84-79, on Senior Day

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team celebrated Senior Day by beating Trine (Ind.) University, 84-79, today at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. With the win, the Comets improve their overall record to 11-12 and move back to the .500 mark in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with a 6-6 record.

The Comets raced out to four-point lead, 14-10, by making six of their first nine baskets. The Thunder came back with a 9-2 run to take a 19-16 lead at the 11:25. Olivet quickly tied the game at 19-19 on a three-pointer by sophomore Blake Krum (Schoolcraft). That basket ignited a 10-0 scoring run to give the Comets a 26-19 advantage with 9:31 left in the first half.

After the teams traded free throws and baskets, sophomore Marquis Childers (Muskegon/Heights) made a free throw to complete a three-point play and Olivet had its largest lead, 37-26, at the 4:31 mark. The Comets had another 11-point lead in the later stages of the half after another three-point play by Childers. Olivet settled for a 48-40 lead at halftime when senior Dakotah Ellis (Birch Run) banked in a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.

Five minutes into second half, the Comets had their largest lead of the game, 63-48. The closest Trine would get for the rest of the game was four points with nine seconds left.

For the game, Olivet shot 50 percent (28-of-56) from the floor, including a sizzling 63.3 percent (19-of-30) in the first half. The Thunder also shot 50 percent and made one less basket, with the difference in the game being the Comets making 10 three-pointers to only three for Trine. The Thunder were 22-of-29 from the free throw line, while Olivet was 18-of-24.

The Comets had a balanced scoring attack, with three players reaching double figures in the scoring column. Krum led the way with 20 points. Junior DaunTrell Hill (Grand Rapids/Wyoming Godwin Heights) came off the bench to score 17, while Ellis had 16. Krum also posted team-highs in rebounds (eight) and assists (five). 

For Trine, Ian Jackson led all scorers with 44 points. Todd Watkins posted a double-double, 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Scott Rogers had 11.

Olivet will play its final two regular season games next week, beginning Wednesday when it plays a 7:30 p.m. game at Hope College.