Men’s basketball team loses heartbreaker to Saginaw Valley, 68-65

The Olivet College men's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to NCAA Division II foe Saginaw Valley State University, 68-65, tonight at the James E. O'Neill Jr. Arena in University Center.

The Comets (1-2) raced out to a 5-0 lead in the first minute and 29 seconds. The Cardinals knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to take a 6-5 lead. Following a 7-7 tie, Saginaw took a 16-11 lead at the 12:26 mark. Olivet battled back and led by four points on two occasions. At halftime, the Comets led by one point, 35-34.

In the second half, Olivet led by as many as nine points, 52-43, with 9:06 left. The Cardinals battled back and took its first lead of the second half, 60-59, at the 3:44 mark. Saginaw made two free throws to take a 66-64. The Comets had a chance to tie the game but converted on one-of-two free throws with six seconds left.

For the game, senior De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge) scored a team-high 18 points. He also grabbed seven rebounds. Senior Gerald Dozie (Detroit/Southeastern) recorded his third straight double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds.

Sydney McDaniel topped the Cardinals with 18 points. Donald Yates and Luke Laser joined him in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Comets return to the court Saturday, Nov. 26, when it travels for a non-league game at Anderson (Ind.) University. Tip-off from O.C. Lewis Gymnasium is 3 p.m.