Men's basketball team falls to Cornerstone, 103-80

The Olivet College men's basketball team fell to non-league foe Cornerstone University, 103-80, this afternoon at the Upton Center.

The Fighting Comets (6-5) started the game with a 9-2 run. Olivet also held a 14-8 lead at the 15:18 mark. The Golden Eagles (14-3) gained momentum and forced a 19-19 tie with 8:06 remaining in the opening half.

Jim Cochran nailed a three-pointer 20 seconds later to give Cornerstone the lead, which it never relinquished for the remainder of the game. In the first half, the Golden Eagles led by as many as 14 points on a three-point basket at the halftime buzzer.

In the second half, Cornerstone sealed the victory by making 20-of-27 shots from the floor and 11-of-12 free throws. Olivet made just 16 field goals and nine free throws. The Eagles' biggest lead was 27 points at the 1:54 mark.

For the game, Cornerstone shot 68 percent (34-of-50) from the floor, and outrebounded the Comets, 39-21. The Golden Eagles also made 26 free throws to 12 for Olivet.

Senior guard Matt Brawley (Niles High School) paced four Comets in double figures with 15 points. Sophomore forward De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge High School) contributed 13 points and a team-high four rebounds. Sophomores Dan Bonnell (Otsego High School) and Derek Cox (Niles High School) chipped in with 10 points apiece.

Olivet is next in action on Wednesday, Jan. 7, when it hosts Albion College at 7:30 p.m. The game will be the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener for both teams.