Three double figure scorers help UOlivet defeat Muskingum, 87-70

HOLLAND, Mich. – Three Comets scored in double figures to lead The University of Olivet men's basketball team to an 87-70 win over Muskingum University (Ohio) in its first game at the Hope College Glenn Van Wieren Classic today at the DeVos Fieldhouse. The win snaps a five-game losing streak for the Comets and drops the Fighting Muskies' record to 10-2.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Olivet 87, Muskingum 70
• Location: DeVos Fieldhouse; Holland, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 3-7 overall, Muskingum 10-2 overall

FOR THE COMETS

• Sophomore Mike Okello and junior Nathan Richardson shared team-high honors with 16 points apiece.
• Sophomore Sam Howard scored a career-high 12 points. He entered the game with 34 career points, including one three-pointer. In today's game, Howard drained three baskets from behind the arc.
• Freshman Levi Stambaugh added nine points.
• Junior Lee Hardy and freshman Sean Shenker each tallied eight points.
• Sophomore Porter Kretschman grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.
• Kretschman and Schipper each recorded six assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Twice, the Comets led by as many as 26 points in the first half before settling for a 23-point margin, 55-32, at halftime. In the second half, Olivet led by 25 points, 62-37, at the 17:08 mark. The Fighting Muskies trimmed their deficit down to 10 points on three occasions. Following the last time, Olivet finished the game strong with a 14-7 run to post the 17-point win.

COACH'S QUOTE

"This was the type of performance we've been working towards," said Olivet head men's basketball coach Sam Hargraves. "We didn't quite execute or play with the same poise in the second half as we did in the first half, but obviously it is still a great team win for us."

UP NEXT

• The Comets face Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.) tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. The Bears are ranked No. 4 in the most recent D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.