Fighting Comet basketball team defeats Madonna, 74-71

The Olivet College men's basketball team defeated Madonna University, 74-71, tonight in its home opener at the Upton Center. With the win, the Fighting Comets snapped their four-game losing streak.

After a 3-3 tie, Olivet went on a 26-10 run to take its biggest lead of the first half when back-up forward Steve Johnson (Detroit/Murray Wright High School) made a layup at the 10:20 mark. Madonna outscored the Comets, 21-8, over the next eight minutes to cut the deficit to three points.

Senior point guard Travis Schellhammer (Grand Ledge High School) nailed a three-pointer to stretch the Olivet lead back to six points at 40-34. The Crusaders scored the final four points half to trail by just two points at halftime.

Following a 53-52 Madonna lead, the Comets responded with an 11-0 run for a 64-53 lead with just over nine minutes left in the contest. Madonna closed to within two points on two occasions, and the last time was with 17 seconds left. Junior forward Ronnie Pearson (Holly High School) made one free throw with eight seconds left to seal the victory.

Sophomore forward De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge High School) scored a career-high 26 points to lead Olivet. He also grabbed 11 rebounds for his first collegiate double-double. Pearson chipped in with 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Johnson added nine points and nine rebounds.

Schellhammer and senior guard Matt Brawley (Niles High School) recorded eight points apiece. Freshman Andy Storey (Battle Creek/Harper Creek High School) had seven points, seven rebounds and a block.

Olivet is next in action on Thursday, Dec. 4, when it plays Andrews University at Niles High School at 7:30 p.m.