Men’s basketball team drops 68-46 decision to Bethany

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team dropped a 68-46 decision to Bethany (W.Va.) College tonight in a non-conference contest at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. With the win, the Bison improve to a perfect 10-0, while the Comets' record slips to 1-7.

After an 11-11 tie at the 14:24 mark of the first half, Bethany scored 12 straight points over the next six minutes to take a 23-12 lead. Olivet answered with a 14-2 run to tie the game at 25-25. The teams traded baskets, and the Bison held a two-point lead, 29-27, at halftime.

Bethany forced the Comets to turn the ball over 19 times in the second half, and turned those turnovers into 25 points. The Bison led by as many 27 points, 64-37, with 5:53 left in the game. Olivet came back with nine consecutive points to trim its deficit to 19 points, but the Comets could not draw any closer.

 Olivet shot 36 percent (18-of-50) to 44.4 percent (28-of-63) for Bethany. After a sluggish start, the Comets were only out-rebounded by three, 37-34.

Senior Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead Olivet. Senior Eric Mack (Eastpointe/Roseville) had 10 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double in a Comet uniform. Junior Alvino Ashley (Detroit/MLK) dished out five assists.

The Bison had four players reach the double figure plateau in points, led by Nick Wilcox's 18. British Alexander and Brady Pacific each had 13, while James Barton finished with 11. Wilcox also pulled down 10 rebounds.

The Comets return to action next Tuesday, Dec. 20, when they host Finlandia University at 7 p.m. The game is a part of a women's/men's basketball doubleheader, as the Olivet women will play Rochester College at 5 p.m.