Men’s basketball team loses heartbreaker to Calvin, 73-71

The Olivet College men's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Calvin College, 73-71, tonight at the Calvin Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids.

Caleb Veldhouse made a jumper with 1.6 seconds left to lift the Knights (11-5, 4-1 MIAA) to their victory. The Comets (5-11, 1-4 MIAA) had a chance to win the game, but a three-point attempt from half court was just off the mark.

In the first half, Olivet led by as many as 10 points on three occasions with the last time being 41-31 at the 1:29 mark. The Comets led 41-35 at halftime. After Olivet went up 47-37 with 18:34 left in the second half, Calvin went on a 15-5 run to tie the game at 52-52.

The Comets and Knights traded the next 16 points to force a 60-60 tie. On its next trip down the court, Calvin grabbed the lead for good on a three-pointer by Veldhouse. Before Veldhouse's game-winner, Olivet tied the game at 69-69 and 71-71.

The Comets were led by senior De'Andre Clement (Saginaw) with a career-high 17 points. Senior De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge) came off the bench and also tallied 17 points. Senior Gerald Dozie (Detroit/Southeastern) recorded a team-high nine rebounds.

Veldhouse led Calvin with a game-high 20 points. Kyle Snoeyink and Kyle Trewhella contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively. Snoeyink pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Olivet continues MIAA play Saturday, Jan. 21, when it plays at Kalamazoo College at 3 p.m.