Men’s Basketball: Richardson’s layup lifts Olivet past Alma, 80-78, in overtime

ALMA, Mich. – Freshman Nathan Richardson made a layup with 0.6 seconds left to help The University of Olivet men's basketball team win a thrilling 80-78 overtime game over Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Alma College this afternoon at Art Smith Arena.

• Final Score: Olivet 80, Alma 78 (OT)
• Location: Art Smith Arena; Alma, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 5-20 overall, 3-11 MIAA; Alma 11-15 overall, 5-9 MIAA

• In the first half, the Comets methodically built a 13-point lead, 35-22, at the 2:54 mark. The Scots strung together an 11-1 run over the next minute and 31 seconds to trim their deficit down to three points, 36-33. Olivet scored the final four points of the half to lead 40-33 at the break.
• The Comets extended their lead to as many as 17 points, 60-43, with 9:03 left in regulation. Olivet led by 12 points, 68-56, at the 4:47 mark. A 12-1 Alma run made the score 69-68 with 2:19 showing on the clock. The Comets went back up three on a layup before a jumper for the Scots made the score 71-70.
• Alma had the ball with 35 seconds left. A go-ahead basket was blocked by freshman Conner Schipper and senior Noah Wiswary corralled the rebound. Senior Ryan Bart was fouled with 12.8 seconds left. He split two free throws to make the score 72-70. After grabbing the defensive rebound on the miss, the Scots rushed up the floor. The first attempt at the tying basket was missed. Xavier Glenn grabbed an offensive rebound and in one motion swished the tying basket as the horn sounded.
• Alma took the lead with two free throws to start the overtime. Schipper answered with a three-pointer to put Olivet ahead. The Scots came right back with a layup before senior Drew Weber drew a foul and made two free throws to keep the Comets ahead by one, 77-76. Alma seized the lead back, 78-77, by making two free throws at the 2:16 mark.
• Olivet tied the game with 1:12 left when Weber split two tosses from the charity stripe. Both teams missed shots on their next possessions. With 28.7 seconds remaining, Alma had the ball and called timeout. A Scot jump shot hit off the rim. Schipper grabbed the rebound and immediately passed the ball up the court to Richardson who took two dribbles and then used his left hand to lay in the go-ahead basket. A last-second three-pointer for Alma was off the mark.

• Schipper led all players with 27 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
• Richardson added 21 points to go along with five assists.
• Freshman Aden Hathaway tallied 15 points.
• The point totals for Hathaway, Richardson and Schipper were career-highs.
• Weber had 12 points.
• Senior Noah Wiswary also had five assists.

• "We talked about the opportunity to end your season on a win, and not very many teams get the opportunity to do that," said Olivet head men's basketball coach Sam Hargraves. "Of course we had to make it very interesting, but I'm proud we persevered and got it done.  Great way to send our seniors out, and hopefully the returning guys are very, very hungry for the future."