Men’s basketball team falls to Trine, 75-68

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball fell to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Trine (Ind.) University, 75-68, this evening at the Cutler Event Center.

Final Score: Trine 75, Olivet 68
Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
Records: Trine 9-5 overall, 2-1 MIAA; Olivet 4-10 overall, 1-2 MIAA

• The Comets raced out to a 15-7 lead in the first five minutes and 16 seconds. The Thunder closed the gap to two points, 15-13, at the 13:15 mark. Olivet answered with a triple to go back up by five points, 18-13. Trine answered with a 9-3 run to take its first lead of the game, 22-21. The Thunder's lead swelled to six points, 27-21.
• The Comets fought back to trail by two points, 38-36, with two minutes left until halftime. Trine scored the final five of the final seven points of the half to lead by five at the break, 43-38.
• The Thunder's run continued to start the second half, as they used an 8-0 run to go up 13 points, 51-38. Trine extended its lead to as many as 14 points, 60-46, with 12:05 remaining in the game. Olivet battled back to make it a six-point game, 64-58, at the 5:19 mark. The Comets did not get any closer for the rest of the game.
• For the game, Olivet made four more baskets, 29 to 25, but one less three-pointer, 7 to 8, than the Thunder. Trine went to the free throw line 21 more times, sinking 17-of-26 attempts compared to 3-of-5 for the Comets.

• Seniors Tevin Ali and Eddie Thigpen each scored 16 points.
• Seniors Derrick Johnson and Dane Vos netted 10 points apiece.
• Ali grabbed a game-best 12 rebounds.

• "I am very happy with our effort in tonight's game," said Olivet head men's basketball coach Sam Hargraves. "Especially coming off a game where we did not have that same kind of energy. I've got to give credit to Trine. They played exceptionally well. We had a few plays not go our way and some crazy turnovers at the end of the game cost us. We have to bring the energy that we had tonight to every game, so it becomes a habit.
• "I can't say enough about the atmosphere at tonight's game. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us, and we hope you come out to the rest of our home games."

• Nick Bowman and Bryce Williams combined to score 48 of the 75 Trine points.
• Bowman led all players with 27 points.
• Williams had 21 points, including 6-of-12 shooting from behind the arc.
• Emmanuel Magnanglo pulled down a team-leading seven rebounds.

• On Saturday, Olivet travels to play Alma College. Tip-off at the Art Smith Arena is approximately 3 p.m. Preceding the men's game is the Comet women against the Scots, with tip-off set for 1 p.m.