Defense leads UOlivet to 68-56 win over Ohio Wesleyan

TIFFIN, Ohio – The University of Olivet men's basketball team used an outstanding defensive effort to defeat Ohio Wesleyan University, 68-56, in its second game of the 2025 Heidelberg (Ohio) University / Ron Linhart Classic inside Seiberling Gymnasium.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Olivet 68, Ohio Wesleyan 56
• Location: Seiberling Gymnasium; Tiffin, Ohio
• Records: Olivet 2-2 overall, Ohio Wesleyan 2-2 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Olivet led 7-6 until the Battling Bishops used an 8-0 run for a 14-7 advantage with 14:22 left in the first half. The Comets fought back with a 16-4 spurt to take a five-point lead, 23-18, at the 3:35 mark. Olivet scored eight of the final 10 points of the half to take 31-20 lead into the locker rooms.
• In the early part of the second half, Ohio Wesleyan cut its deficit down to five points twice. After the second time at 39-34, the Comets scored 11 straight points to gain a 50-34 lead. The Battling Bishops closed the gap to 11 points on two occasions (50-39 and 53-42) but did not get any closer. Olivet's lead grew back to as many as 18 points two times late in the game.
• For the game, the Comets made 26-of-60 baskets (43.3 percent) compared to 21-of-62 (33.9 percent) for Ohio Wesleyan. Olivet outscored the Battling Bishops in the paint, 36-16. Twelve of the 16 made baskets for Ohio Wesleyan came from behind the arc. The Comets had a 48-31 edge in rebounding.

FOR THE COMETS

• Junior Nathan Richardson led all players with 18 points, including 7-of-8 shooting from the free throw line. He also grabbed a team-leading nine rebounds.
• Junior Conner Schipper and freshman Sean Shenker each scored 12 points.
• Schipper had six rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
• Sophomore Porter Kretschman added 11 points.
• Kretschman and sophomore Mike Okello also pulled down six rebounds apiece.

COACH'S QUOTE

"I really wasn't sure what to expect today, but we're pretty pleased with the way we performed today," said Olivet head men's basketball coach Sam Hargraves. "We took care of the ball better. Some guys got tougher today. We defended well against a very dangerous and well-coached team, especially from three. This win now gives us some positives to build on."

UP NEXT

• Olivet is off until Monday, November 24, when it travels to play Ohio Northern University at 7 p.m.