Fighting Comets lose to MIAA leader Hope, 76-59

The Olivet College men's basketball team dropped a 76-59 decision to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) leader Hope College this afternoon at the Holland Civic Center.

The Flying Dutchmen (19-4, 8-2 MIAA) jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first five minutes of the game. The Fighting Comets (10-13, 4-7 MIAA) cut the deficit to six points, 26-20. Hope scored the next nine points of the contest to take its biggest lead, 35-20. Olivet answered with a 9-0 run to end the half and trail, 35-29.

The Comets closed to within one point, 46-45, at the 12:48 mark of the second half. Hope then outscored Olivet, 12-1, to put the game out of reach. The Dutch's biggest lead was the margin of victory.

Senior guard Matt Brawley (Niles High School) topped the Comets with 14 points. Junior forward Eddie Ward (Muskegon/Mona Shores High School) provided a spark off the bench with a career-high 12 points on five-of-five shooting from the floor. He also grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots in 18 minutes. Senior point guard Travis Schellhammer (Grand Ledge High School) and sophomore forward De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge High School) grabbed five rebounds apiece.

Olivet will conclude its 2003-04 regular season schedule next week. On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Comets will take a break from MIAA play when it travels to play Tri-State (Ind.) University at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 21, Olivet hosts Adrian with tip-off from the Upton Center at 7:30 p.m.

Daane Griffeth led the Dutch with a game-high 21 points, followed by Travis Spaman and Andy Phillips with 15 points apiece. Phillips and Spaman had nine and eight rebounds, respectively.