Men's basketball team falls to Hope, 79-63

The Olivet College men's basketball team fell to defending Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) co-champion Hope College, 79-63, tonight at the Upton Center. Olivet drops to third-place in the league standings. Calvin, a 95-45 winner over Alma, moves into sole possession of first-place, and takes a half-game lead on Hope.

After a 9-9 tie at the 16:28 mark of the first half, the Flying Dutchmen (13-3, 3-1 MIAA) scored the next two points, and never relinquished their lead. They extended their lead to as many as 26 points, 52-26, with 36 seconds left before halftime. In the second half, Hope led by as many as 31 points with 7:47 left. Olivet (9-7, 3-2 MIAA) managed to cut the deficit to 14 points in the last minute of the game.

For the game, the Dutch shot 51.7 percent (31-of-60) from the floor while the Comets shot 38.7 percent (24-of-62). Hope also out-rebounded Olivet, 43-28.

Junior forward Ronnie Pearson (Holly High School) was the only Comet in double figures with a game-high 19 points. Sophomore center Derek Cox (Niles High School) chipped in with eight points and a team-high seven points.

Olivet will take a break from MIAA play on Saturday, Jan. 24 when it hosts Tri-State (Ind.) University. Tip-off from the Upton Center is 3 p.m.

Daane Griffeth led the Dutch with 16 points, followed by Travis Spaman and Andy Phillips with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Spaman also grabbed seven rebounds.