Men's basketball team loses to Tri-State, 120-112

The Olivet College men's basketball team suffered a 120-112 defeat against future Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association member Tri-State (Ind.) University this afternoon at the Upton Center. In the game, both teams combined to make 81-of-158 field goals, including 37-of-93 three-pointers. The Fighting Comets (9-8) made 18-of-42 three-pointers, and the Thunder (8-9) connected on 19-of-51 from three-point range.

In the first half, Olivet led by as many as nine points on four occasions with the last time being 53-44 at the 4:50 mark. Tri-State then went on a 10-1 run to tie the game at 54-54. After another tie, 59-59, the Thunder scored the next five points of the game before junior guard Thad Mitchner (Flint Central High School) beat the halftime buzzer with a three-pointer. Tri-State had a 64-62 lead at the break.

Tri-State built its lead to seven points four times in the first five minutes of the second half. The Comets then went on a 13-3 run to lead by three points with 11:03 left in the game. After the Thunder tied the game, 86-86, they went on a 15-0 run to put the game away. The Comets were able to only close to within five points with 19 seconds left.

Sophomore forward De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge High School) led four Olivet players in double figures with 25 points, followed by junior guard Richard Britton (Olivet High School) with a career-high 20 points. Mitchner and junior forward Ronnie Pearson (Holly High School) contributed 19 points apiece. Pruitt also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, and Pearson dished out nine assists.

Olivet will next be in action on Wednesday, Jan. 28 when it travels to play Adrian College. Tip-off from the Merillat Center is 7:30 p.m.

The Thunder placed five players in double figures, led by Luke Amstutz with 25 and Aaron Rehrer with 19. Brandon O'Leary had 17 points and a team-best nine rebounds.