Men’s basketball team falls to Tri-State, 72-58

Senior Gerald Dozie (Detroit/Southeastern) scored 23 points but it was not enough as the Olivet College men's basketball team dropped a 72-58 decision to Tri-State (Ind.) University tonight at the Upton Center in Olivet.

To start the game, Maurice Brookins nailed back-to-back three-pointers for Tri-State (6-9, 1-2 MIAA). The Thunder stayed hot for the remainder of the first half, shooting 53.3 percent from the floor. They took a 20-point lead, 41-21, at halftime.

In the second half, the Comets (4-10, 0-3 MIAA) cut their deficit to 15 points, 46-31, with 13:19 left. Tri-State battled back and extended its lead to as many 24 points when Brookins canned a three-pointer at the 4:10 mark. Olivet made it a 14-point game twice in the closing minutes.

Dozie's 23 points came on 10-of-18 shooting from the floor and two-of-three free throws. Freshman John Djurovski (Shelby Twp./Brother Rice) contributed seven points, followed by sophomore Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) and senior Derek Kurtz (Hillsdale/Jonesville) with six points each. Kurtz grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds, including five of Olivet's 18 offensive rebounds.

Brookins made eight-of-12 three-pointers for his game-high 24 points. Andre Patrick provided a lift off the bench with 11 points. Micah Williams pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.

The Comets are on the road for their next three games, beginning Saturday, Jan. 14 for a 7:30 p.m. game against Adrian College.