Men's basketball team loses to Calvin, 71-61

The Olivet College men's basketball team suffered a 71-61 loss to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) leader Calvin College today at the Upton Center in Olivet. With a three-point basket at the 14:50 mark of the first half, senior De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge) became the 11th player in school history to score 1,000 career points.

The Knights (18-5, 11-1 MIAA) raced out to a six-point lead, 9-3, in the first 3:17 of the game. The Comets (6-17, 2-10 MIAA) answered with three three-pointers, two by Pruitt and one by sophomore Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) to take a 12-11 lead. Calvin came back to lead by five points, 22-17, with 6:47 left before halftime. Over the next five minutes, Olivet went on a 13-2 run to take a six-point lead. The Knights scored 10 of the last 12 points of the first half to lead 34-32 at the break.

In the second half, Calvin went up by 13 points, 51-38, with 13:52 remaining in regulation. The Comets used a quick 12-1 run to close to within two points, 52-50, and they would not get any closer for the rest of the contest.

Pruitt led Olivet with 14 points. Cooper added 13 points, followed by senior Steve Johnson (Detroit/Murray Wright) with 10. Seniors Gerald Dozie (Detroit/Southeastern) and Greg Ravy (New Orleans, La./L.B. Landry) grabbed six rebounds each.

The Knights placed four starters in double figures. Josh Meckes scored a game-high 17 points. Andy Draayer, Kyle Trewhella and Caleb Veldhouse each finished with 12 points. Kyle Snoeyink pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Comets wrap-up the 2005-06 regular season next week, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 15, when they host Kalamazoo College at 8 p.m.