Men's basketball team falls to Tri-State, 102-97

The Olivet College men's basketball team shot 54.2 percent from the floor and out-rebounded Tri-State (Ind.) University, 64-46, but still fell to the Thunder, 102-97, this evening at Hershey Hall in Angola, Indiana.

In the game, the Fighting Comets made 39-of-72 shots from the floor. Tri-State made just 34-of-93 shots, including 18-of-65 from three-point range. Olivet pulled down 46 rebounds off the defensive glass while the Thunder had 23 offensive and 23 defensive rebounds.

The Comets led by as many as five points, 19-14, in the first half. Following a 38-38 tie at the seven minute mark, Tri-State went on a 6-0 run for its biggest lead. Olivet answered by tying the game at 48-all with 1:54 left. After two more ties, the Thunder took a 57-55 halftime lead.

Olivet fought back in the second half to take a 69-65 lead with 12:58 left in the game. Following another time, 69-69, Tri-State went on 24-8 run for a 93-77 lead. Over the next 4:50, Olivet outscored the Thunder, 19-5, to cut the deficit to two points but could not pull any closer.

Leading the way for Olivet was sophomore forward Steve Johnson (Detroit/Murray Wright High School) with a career-high 22 points on 11-of-13 shooting from the floor. Sophomore guard Dan Bonnell (Ostego High School) made his first collegiate start and scored a career-high 18 points by nailed six-of-11 three-pointers. Freshman center Andy Storey (Battle Creek/Harper Creek High School) grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

Olivet will conclude the 2003-04 regular season when it hosts Adrian College on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m. The game is a part of a men's/women's basketball doubleheader as the Lady Comets will play Saint Mary's (Ind.) College at 3 p.m.

The Thunder was led by Aaron Rehrer and Micah Williams with 24 and 25 points, respectively. Luke Amstutz added 16 points, and Brandon O'Leary topped the team with 10 rebounds.