Men’s basketball team hangs on to beat Marygrove, 72-69, at The Palace

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Olivet College men's basketball team built a 16-point lead in second half and hung on to beat Marygrove College, 72-69, in a thrilling game this afternoon at The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the Detroit Pistons.

In the first half, the Mustangs (1-14) led 9-6 before the Comets went on a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 11-9. The teams traded baskets before Olivet (5-6) scored two baskets in arrow to take its largest advantage, 17-12. Marygrove fought back with a 10-4 run to regain the lead at 22-21.

The Comets got a free throw to tie the game and a basket to take a 24-22 lead, and they did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game. Olivet led by four points, 29-25, at halftime.

In the second half, the Comets extended their lead to 16 points, 61-45, with 8:09 left in the game. A determined Marygrove came with a 24-9 scoring spurt over the next seven minutes to trail by only point with 44 seconds remaining. Olivet had possession and with the shot clock winding down, sophomore Marquis Childers (Muskegon/Heights) was fouled with 18.1 seconds left.

Childers made both free throws to make the score 72-69. Two last second three-point attempts fell short for the Mustangs.

For the game, Olivet shot 42.9 percent (27-of-63) from the floor, including 50 percent (16-of-32) in the second half, while Marygrove shot 36.2 percent (26-of-69). The Comets made one more three-pointer, 5-4, but the Mustangs canned two more tosses from the charity stripe, 15-13.

For Olivet, junior DaunTrell Hill (Grand Rapids/Wyoming Godwin Heights) led all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Senior Garner Small (Schoolcraft) had a solid overall game with 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks and only two turnovers in 32 minutes. Sophomore Blake Krum (Schoolcraft) joined them in double figures with 11 points to go along with two assists and two steals.

For Marygrove, Manny Washington was one of three starters in double figures with 16 points, while Diante Taylor and Kevin Dunaj finished with 14 and 11, respectively.

The Comets will now open Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play Thursday, Jan. 3, when they host Albion College. Game time at The Cutler Event Center is 7:30 p.m.