Men's basketball team rallies to beat Bridgewater (Va.), 72-67

Trailing by 12 points with 10:09 left in the game, the Olivet College men's basketball team rallied to beat Brigewater (Va.) College, 72-67, this afternoon in the consolation game of the D3 Desert Shootout in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Comets (2-6) built a seven-point lead, 11-4, at the 17:14 mark of the first half. The Eagles came back and forced two ties, including 22-22 with eight minutes remaining in the first half. Bridgewater also led, 40-34, at halftime.

In second half, Olivet trailed by 12 points, 60-48. Over the next 5:21, the Comets went on a 17-0 run to take a 65-60 lead. The Eagles pulled to within one point, 65-64, with 2:20 left in the game. Olivet sealed the win by making five-of-six free throws in the final 2:20.

Junior Brandon Way (Detroit/Southwestern) led all scorers with 19 points on seven-of-16 shooting from the floor, including four-of-nine from three-point range. Off the bench, freshman Andy Sierminski (Jackson/Lumen Christi) contributed 17 points, while junior Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) scored 13 points and team-high six rebounds.

Dominic Trawick posted a double-double, 14 points and 12 rebounds, for the Eagles. Josh Fox also scored 14 points.

Olivet will take a break for the holidays and return to the court Friday and Saturday, Dec. 29-30, when it participates in the Marietta College Shrine Tournament. On Friday evening, the Comets will play Westminster (Pa.) College at 5 p.m. On Saturday, the consolation and championship games will be played at 2 and 4 p.m., respectively.