Men's basketball team falls to Olivet Nazarene, 76-75, in overtime

The Olivet College men's basketball team dropped a 76-75 overtime decision tonight in its season opener at the Wabash College/Little Giant Tip-Off Tournament in Crawfordsville, Indiana. The Fighting Comets will play Kalamazoo College in the consolation game on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

In the first half, Olivet-Nazarene led by as many as six points on two occasions with the last time being 31-25 at the 2:35 mark. The Comets cut the deficit to 31-28 at halftime.

In the second half, the Tigers stretched their lead to nine points. Olivet then went on a 31-17 run to take a 63-58 lead with 5:03 left in regulation play. Junior guard Thad Mitchner (Flint/Central High School) forced overtime with a fastbreak layup with 1:11 left.

In overtime, ONU had a 75-74 lead before the Tigers won the game with a layup with just under 30 second left in the game.

Despite the loss, Olivet placed four players scored in double figures. Junior De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge High School) led the way with 17 points. Senior Matt Brawley (Niles High School) had 16 points. Junior Ronnie Pearson (Holly High School) and sophomore Steve Johnson (Detroit/Murray Wright High School) contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively. Pearson and Johnson led the Comes with 10 rebounds apiece.

Following the game against Kalamazoo, the Comets will participate in the Hanover (Ind.) College Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 29-30. Olivet opens play on Saturday against Hanover at 6 p.m.