Comets Win Consolation Game of Allegheny (Pa.) Dad’s Classic by Defeating Allegheny 83-78

MEADVILLE, PA. – The Olivet College men's basketball team rallied from a first-half deficit to defeat Allegheny (Pa.) College, 83-78, tonight in the consolation game of the Allegheny Dad's Classic.  For his efforts in the tournament, junior guard Travis Schellhammer (Grand Ledge High School) was selected to the all-tournament team. With the win, the Fighting Comets improve their record to 3-2 overall.  The Gators' record falls to 1-3 overall.

After the Comets took a 16-15 lead at the 13:10 mark of the first half, the Gators went on a 19-6 run.  They held a 34-22 edge with 5:52 left.  Olivet managed to cut the deficit to three points (39-36), and trailed by five points (43-38) at halftime.

Olivet opened the second half with a 7-0 run to take a 45-43 lead when senior forward Michael Dyson (Kalamazoo/ Loy Norrix High School) made a layup from sophomore forward Ronnie Pearson (Holly High School).  After Allegheny knotted the score at 47-47, Schellhammer connected on a jumper, and the Comets never relinquished their lead again.  Olivet built its lead to as many as eight points on three occasions with the last time being at 79-71 with 41 seconds left.

"I am very happy with the way that we grinded out this win," said sixth-year Head Coach Steve Hettinga.  "We hung in there, kept fighting and found a way to win.  The starting five did a great job, and we also had some good sparks off the bench."

Dyson led four Comet players in double figures with 21 points on nine-of-11 shooting from the floor.  Schellhamer added 18 points, senior forward Patrick Dermeyer (Chase/ Reed City High School) had 11 and Pearson had 10.  Schellhammer also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Ryan Meerstein led Allegheny with 21 points.  Tyrrell Smith had a game-high 12 rebounds.

Olivet will next play when it hosts Marygrove College on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Upton Center at 7:30 p.m.