TIGERS DEFEAT TRINITY CHRISTIAN TO EARN FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
Posted: Jan 03, 2021

TIGERS DEFEAT TRINITY CHRISTIAN TO EARN FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team opened Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play defeating the Trinity Christian College Trolls, 96-72, inside McHie Arena on Saturday.

The Tigers took an early 5-0 lead on a three by junior Cady Chitty and on a layup by senior John Contant (SR/Hickory Hills, Ill.). With the Trolls up 9-7, the Tigers retook the lead on field goals by junior Alex Gross (JR/Hope, Ind.) and Contant making the score 18-9. At 24-15, the Trolls make consecutive threes to pull within three, but Contant extended the lead back to five, making two free throws. The Tigers led 26-21.

At the score 34-33, The Tigers rattle off seven straight points, highlighted by a three by junior James Owen (JR/Chicago, Ill.) taking a 41-33 lead into the half. Contant led the Tigers with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Chitty led the Tigers with six rebounds.

Halftime: Olivet Nazarene 41, Trinity Christian 33

In the second half, The Trolls scored two of the first three field goals until Gross made a layup and a three-pointer making the score 48-37. At 67-52, the Tigers scored 10 of the next 12 points to extend their lead to 77-54. After the Trolls made a three, Chitty answered right back with a three of his own to push the lead to 80-57.

In the final three minutes of the game, the Tigers outscored the Trolls 10-7 and won their first game of the season 96-72.

Final: Olivet Nazarene 96, Trinity Christian 72

Game Vitals

Score: Olivet Nazarene 96, Trinity Christian 72

Records: Olivet Nazarene 1-2 (1-0 CCAC) | Trinity Christian 1-4 (0-1 CCAC)

Location: McHie Arena | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, Ill.

Quick Hits:

  • Contant led the Tigers with 22 points.
  • Senior Gavin Griggs (SR/Middletown, Ind.) followed Contant with 16 points, off the bench.
  • Both Chitty and Gross contributed 13 points.
  • Chitty led the Tigers with eight rebounds, while gross followed with seven boards.
  • Freshman Landon Pflederer (FR/Tremont, Ill.) and Contant led the Tigers with four assists apiece.

What's next?

The Tigers (1-2), (1-0 CCAC) welcome the Trojans of Trinity International on Wednesday, January 6th. Tipoff inside McHie Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.

--ONU—

*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu