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A Big Second Half Lifts ONU past Roosevelt on Senior Day
Posted: Feb 14, 2021

A Big Second Half Lifts ONU past Roosevelt on Senior Day

Box Score

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team overcame a first half deficit and defeated the Lakers of Roosevelt University, 97-89, inside McHie Arena on Senior Day Saturday.

The Tigers found themselves chasing the Lakers in the first half as they were behind by as much as eight points. Every time the Tigers gained momentum, the Lakers always had an answer. However, down by seven points, with four minutes left, the Tigers, led by Alex Gross (JR/Hope, Ind.), John Contant (SR/Hickory Hills, Ill.), and Landon Pflederer (FR/Tremont, Ill.), took the lead 43-42, on an 8-0 run. The Lakers retook the lead with two free throws and went into the half up 44-43.

Halftime: Roosevelt 44, Olivet Nazarene 43

The Lakers dominated at the start of the second half and took a 53-43 lead. At 57-52, Lakers, the Tigers scored 15 of the next 17 points and retook the lead 65-59. After two Roosevelt free throws, Contant and the Tigers marked 9 of the next 11 points making the score 74-63. After the Tigers pushed their lead to 15 points with two minutes left, the Lakers, quietly, went on a 7-0 run to pull within 8 points of the lead.

The Tigers led by as much as 18-points in the second half and they defeated the Lakers of Roosevelt 97-89, for their seventh win in a row.

Game Vitals:

Final: Olivet Nazarene 97, Roosevelt 89

Records: Olivet Nazarene 10-3 (9-1 CCAC) |Roosevelt 2-3 (2-3 CCAC)

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

Quick Hits:

  • Gross led the Tigers with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 blocks.
  • Contant followed with 21 points.
  • CJ Smith (SR/Cumming, Ga.) and Cade Chitty (JR/White Heath, Ill.) contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively.
  • The Tigers outrebounded the Lakers 42-32 including 32-21 on the defensive glass.
  • The Tigers were assisted on 23 of the 34 baskets in the game.

What's Next?

The Tigers host Governors State on Monday, February 15. Tipoff inside McHie Arena is set for 7 p.m.

--ONU—

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