Shenker’s 22 points propels UOlivet to 71-57 victory at Albion

ALBION, Mich. – Freshman Sean Shenker scored 22 points, including 20 in the second half, as the University of Olivet men's basketball team rallied to defeat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College, 71-57, today on Mike Turner Court and inside Kresge Gymnasium. The Comets have now won eight straight games and continue to sit tied for first in the MIAA standings.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Olivet 71, Albion 57
• Location: Kresge Gymnasium; Albion, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 12-9 overall, 9-1 MIAA; Albion 11-10 overall, 4-6 MIAA

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Britons scored the first five points before the Comets scored the next six points. Albion responded with an 8-0 run to take a 14-6 lead at the 12:37 mark. Olivet countered with a 10-2 run to tie the game. The Britons put 15 of the final 21 points on the scoreboard for a 31-22 halftime lead.
• The Comets began the second half by scoring 12 unanswered points – two three-pointers by junior Conner Schipper, four points by junior Lee Hardy and a fastbreak layup by Shenker. Olivet pushed its lead to seven points, 44-37, at the 12:44 mark. The Britons came back with an 8-2 run to trim their deficit down to a point, 46-45, with 11:20 left in the game.
• Albion did not get any closer for the rest of the game. The 14-point margin of victory was Olivet's largest lead of the game.
• For the game, Olivet made 24-of-51 baskets (47.1 percent), while the Britons made 22-of-56 (39.3 percent). From behind the arc, the Comets drained eight baskets compared to three for Albion. Olivet also made five more free throws.

FOR THE COMETS

• Shenker shot 7-of-11 from the floor (2-of-4 from three) and 6-of-7 from the free throw line for his 22 points. He recorded two assists and four steals.
• Schipper contributed 11 points and three blocks. He is now three blocks away from becoming the UOlivet career leader.
• Sophomore Sam Howard added 10 points.
• Junior Nathan Richardson and sophomore Porter Kretschman each scored nine points.
• Kretschman posted team-highs in rebounds (eight) and assists (five).
• Richardson and Schipper also had four assists apiece.

UP NEXT

• Olivet welcomes the Calvin University Knights to the Cutler Event Center next Wednesday, February 11. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. It will be Community Night, with all families in the Olivet community receiving free admission.