UOlivet beats Anderson, 77-75

FRANKLIN, Ind. – The University of Olivet men's basketball team defeated Anderson (Ind.) University, 77-75, this afternoon at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Olivet 77, Anderson 75
• Location: O.C. Lewis Gymnasium; Anderson, Indiana
• Records: Olivet 1-1 overall, Anderson 0-2 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Ravens scored the first 10 points of the game. Olivet answered an 11-1 run to tie the game at the 13:46 mark of the first half. Anderson made a three-pointer to regain the advantage. The Comets fought back and took their first lead in the game, 27-26. Olivet held the lead until the Ravens drained a triple to go ahead 37-36. Anderson extended its lead to five points, 41-36. The Comets scored the final five points of the half to even the score, 41-41, at the break.
• The early stages of the second half featured a couple lead changes. Olivet surged ahead by eight points, 53-45, at the 15:29 mark. The Comets maintained the advantage until the Ravens tied the score at 62-62. Olivet answered with nine straight points for its largest lead of the game, 71-62. Anderson trimmed its deficit down to two points, 73-71, in the final minute of the game.
• Sophomore Porter Kretschman drained two free throws to push the Comet lead back to four points, 75-71. On the other end of the floor, the Ravens made a three-point basket to make the score 75-74. Anderson forced an Olivet turnover and drew a Comet foul. The Anderson player missed both free throws and then a layup after grabbing the offensive rebound on the second attempt.
• Olivet was credited a team rebound on the missed layup. Freshman Alex Genuise converted a layup to put the Comets ahead by three, 77-74, with eight seconds remaining. The Ravens split two free throws to create the 77-75 final score.

FOR THE COMETS

• Junior Nathan Richardson scored a game-high 18 points.
• Freshman Sean Shenker added 14 points.
• Senior Evan Honnen came off the bench to score 11 points, including three three-pointers.
• Kretschman and junior Conner Schipper each netted nine points, while grabbing 11 and 14 rebounds respectively.
• Schipper dished out six assists.

COACH'S QUOTE

"Obviously that would have been a tough game to lose, but regardless of the outcome I'm so happy with the fight that we had today," said Olivet head coach Sam Hargraves. "I wasn't sure if we'd bring the emotional energy needed to win another true road game on a back to back against a very good program. So I couldn't be more proud of that. We still have much to improve on and we have to get to that next level of toughness to become the type of team we want to be."

UP NEXT

• Olivet participates in the Ron Linhart Memorial Classic, hosted by Heidelberg (Ohio) University next Friday and Saturday, November 14-15. The Comets play John Carroll (Ohio) University on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m.