Men's basketball team rallies to beat Tri-State, 108-104

The men's basketball team came back from a 15-point deficit at the 11:55 mark of the second half to beat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Tri-State (Ind.) University, 108-104, tonight at the Upton Center in Olivet.

Following a 10-10 tie with 17:26 left in the first half, the Fighting Comets (11-13, 5-8 MIAA) went on a 13-5 run to take their biggest lead. Olivet went on to lead by eight points on three more occasions with the last time being 46-38 at the 3:58 mark of the first half. The Thunder (5-19, 2-11 MIAA) fought back and forced a 56-56 tie at halftime.

In the second half, both teams traded baskets over the first two minutes, 13 seconds. After another tied score, 63-63, Tri-State went on a 19-4 in a span of just under five minutes to take its 15-point lead.

The Comets chipped away at the Thunder lead and eventually took a 99-97 lead on two free throws by senior McKinsey Golfin (Flint/Central) with 2:59 left. Olivet then sealed the victory by canning seven-of-eight free throws in the final 2:22.

For the game, the Comets shot 63.5 percent (40-of-63) from the floor. Tri-State shot 39.6 percent (36-of-91), including 29.2 percent (14-of-48) from behind the three-point arc. The Thunder outrebounded Olivet, 46-42.

Sophomore Jerame File (Jackson/Hanover-Horton) scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Comets. Junior De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge) added 22 points on eight-of-nine shooting from the floor and five-of-six from the free throw line. He also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. Junior Greg Ravy (New Orleans, La./L.B. Landry) contributed 18 points while junior Derek Kurtz (Jonesville/Hillsdale) and senior Ronnie Pearson (Holly) had 13 and 10 points, respectively. Kurtz also dished out seven assists.

Zach Lear scored 17 points to lead five Thunder players in double digits. Also scoring in double figures were Micah Williams (14), Mo Brookins (13), Andre Patrick (11) and Brandon O'Leary (10). Five Tri-State players pulled down four rebounds apiece.

Olivet wraps up the 2004-05 regular season Saturday, Feb. 19, at Adrian College. Tip-off from the Merillat Sports and Fitness Center is 3 p.m.