Men’s Basketball Team Defeats Alma College, 78-77

OLIVET, Mich. -- The Olivet College men's basketball team overcame a six-point deficit with less than a minute left to defeat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association foe Alma College, 78-77, tonight at the Upton Center. The victory also snapped a five-game losing streak for the Fighting Comets (11-11, 3-6 MIAA).

After Nate Ashcraft made two free throws to give Alma a 77-71 lead with 55 seconds left, junior guard Matt Brawley (Niles High School) nailed a three-pointer. On the Scots' next possession, junior guard Travis Schellhammer (Grand Ledge High School) made a steal in the backcourt and freshman De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge High School) put back a missed shot to cut the deficit to one point with 37 seconds left.

After another turnover by Alma, Pruitt made a layup from sophomore Ronnie Pearson (Holly High School) to give the Comets their first lead at 78-77 with 26 seconds remaining. Alma missed a three-pointer and then was called for traveling on the rebound.

Pruitt led the Comets with 15 points and seven rebounds. Senior forward Terrance Stewart (Muskegon Heights High School) had 14 and Brawley added 10. In addition, sophomore center Derek Cox (Niles High School) grabbed seven rebounds.

"I am tremendously proud of this team," said sixth-year Head Coach Steve Hettinga. "We were able to get some crucial turnovers down the stretch. We also kept attacking and found a way to win."

Rob Taylor scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Scots (1-21, 0-10). Nate Ashcraft and Joe Baysdell joined him in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Olivet will next play on Saturday, Feb. 15 when it hosts Kalamazoo College at 3 p.m.