UOlivet downed by No. 3 Trine, 85-59

OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet men's basketball fell to defending NCAA Division III national champion Trine (Ind.) University, 85-59, in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest today at the Cutler Event Center. The Thunder are ranked No. 3 in this week's D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Trine 85, Olivet 59
• Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 2-11 overall, 0-2 MIAA; Trine 12-1 overall, 2-0 MIAA

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Thunder scored the first nine points of the game. The Comets fought back and closed the gap to three points, 18-15, with 6:47 left until halftime. Trine answered with an 8-0 run to take its first double digit lead of the game. The Thunder extended their advantage to as many as 14 points before settling for a 12-point lead, 36-24, at halftime.
• Olivet cut its deficit down to eight points, 42-34, in the first three minutes and 18 seconds of the second half. Trine responded with seven consecutive points. The Comets made another push to trail by nine points, 51-42, at the 11:22 mark. Olivet did not get any closer for the rest of the game.
• For the game, the Thunder made 28 baskets, including 11 from behind the arc, compared to 21 baskets and five triples for the Comets. Trine also committed nine less turnovers, 22 to 13.

FOR THE COMETS

• Sophomore Nathan Richardson led Olivet with 15 points.
• Sophomore Conner Schipper added 12 points.
• Freshman Porter Kretschman contributed 11 points and five rebounds.
• Sophomore Aden Hathaway dished out seven assists.

UP NEXT

• Olivet hosts Albion College next January 15 in the second game of a basketball doubleheader inside the Cutler Event Center. Before the men's game, the Comet women face Saint Mary's (Ind.) College at 6 p.m. The men's game tips-off approximately 30 minutes after the women's game finishes.