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ONU Advances to its Second Straight Conference Championship Game Defeating Governors State
Posted: Feb 28, 2021

ONU Advances to its Second Straight Conference Championship Game Defeating Governors State

Box Score

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The RV Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team advanced to its second straight Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) Championship game defeating the Jaguars of Governors State University, 81-66, inside McHie Arena on Saturday night.

The Tigers were up 10-7 in the first 17 points of the game, as neither team could get any offense going. Alex Gross (JR/Hope, Ind.) led the charge with four points. The game kept going back-and-forth until the Tigers went on a little run. At the score 20-18, John Contant (SR/Hickory Hills, Ill.), Barik Olden (SO/Groveland, Ill.), and Gross all marked field goals to go up by 8 at 26-18. In the final three-and-a-half minutes of the half, the Tigers and Jaguars traded the next 14 points, highlighted by a three-ball by Cade Chitty (JR/White Heath, Ill.).

The Tigers took a 38-31 lead going into the half. Gross led ONU with a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists.

Halftime: RV Olivet Nazarene 38, Governors State 31

The Tigers pulled away at the beginning of the second half tallying 12 of the first 13 points, highlighted by 6 points by Chitty and another 4 from Gross. A three then, by CJ Smith (SR/Cumming, Ga.), at 55-45, sparked an 8-2 run making the score 65-47. The Tigers kept up that same energy and pace throughout the rest of the second half as they led by as much as 25 points.

Although the Jaguars marked the final 12 points of the game, the Tigers win this one at the score of 81-66.

Game Vitals

Final: RV Olivet Nazarene 81, Governors State 66

Records: RV Olivet Nazarene 15-3 | Governors State 11-11

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

Quick Hits

  • Gross picked up his 11th double-double of the season with 29 points and 19 boards.
  • Contant followed with 17 points, while Smith and Chitty contributed 15 and 12 points, respectively.
  • Chitty was a rebound shy of a double-double with nine boards.
  • The Tigers shot 51% from the floor.

What's Next?

The Tigers, for the second straight second, hosts the CCAC Championship game welcoming the Titans of Indiana University- South Bend to McHie Arena on Monday, March 1st. Tipoff on onutigers.com is set for 6 p.m.

--ONU—

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