Men’s basketball team falls to Madonna, 72-67

The Olivet College men's basketball team fell to non-conference foe Madonna University, 72-67, this evening at the Activities Center in Livonia.

The Crusaders (2-4) led by as many as 20 points in the first half with 1:08 left. In the second half, the Comets (2-3) cut their deficit to 10 points at the 12:45 mark when senior Steve Johnson (Detroit/Murray Wright) made a layup. Madonna extended its lead back out to 17 points, 66-49, with just under six minutes left in the game. Olivet used a 14-0 run to make the score 66-63 in the final minute. Four free throws by the Crusaders sealed their win.

Johnson topped the Comets with 17 points, followed by seniors Gerald Dozie (Detroit/Southeastern) and De'Andre Pruitt (River Rouge) with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Johnson and Dozie grabbed nine rebounds apiece. Sophomore Antonio Higginbotham (Detroit/Southeastern) dished out a team-high four assists.

D.J. Bridges posted a double-double, 17 points and 14 rebounds, to lead Madonna. Doug Creighton joined him in double figures with 11 points.

Olivet is idle until Saturday, Dec. 10, when it hosts Defiance (Ohio) College. Tip-off from the Upton Center is 3 p.m.