TIGERS FALL IN OPENING ROUND ACTION AT THE NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Marion, Ind. – In the opening round of the NAIA National Championship, the Tigers went to battle with the Warriors of Indiana Tech.

With both teams getting off to a hot start, the lead went back and forth 11 times in the first 10 minutes of action. Cade Chitty (JR/White Heath, Ill.) was the first to score in this contest on a great spin move in the paint to free himself up for the layup. As time kept moving, the Warriors crept ahead by two points until a three-pointer by Alex Gross (JR/Hope, Ind.) regained the lead for the Tigers. Gross matched his season total from behind the arc in this game with two in this contest. However, the Tigers would relinquish the lead soon after, due to a lack of consistency on the offensive end. Gross dominated with 15 points in the half, but other major contributors were silenced. With time winding down in the half, the Warriors got a spark from some of their bench players and would take a 13-point lead into halftime.

Halftime: ONU 27, IT 40

The second half was more of the same for both sides, however, the Warriors were able to make adjustments to limit Gross in the paint. With the Tigers primary offensive target being denied the ball, Landon Pflederer (FR/Tremont, Ill.) took the opportunity to make the most of his first national tournament appearance. Pflederer had an outstanding game on the defensive end, keeping a rotation of Warrior players in check. He would also contribute nine points in the half, counting towards his total of 11 on the game. Then coming off the bench Gavin Griggs (SR/Middletown, Ind.) made the most of his minutes with two makes from beyond the three-point line. In the end, the Warriors would move on in this year's NAIA tournament and the Tigers season would end.

GAME VITALS

Score: Olivet Nazarene – 59 | Indiana Tech – 82

Records: Olivet Nazarene – 15-5 | Indiana Tech – 22-8

Location: Indiana Wesleyan University | Marion, Ind. | Luckey Arena

NAIA National Championship Opening Round

STAT TRACKER

• Alex Gross: 21 points, 11 rebounds, four assists
• Cade Chitty: 10 points, five rebounds
• Landon Pflederer: 11 points, three rebounds, three assists
• John Contant (SR/Hickory Hills, Ill.): seven points, five rebounds, two assists
• Gavin Griggs: six points, two rebounds

*Thank you and good luck in your future endeavors to our seniors: John Contant, Gavin Griggs, Ray Kerkhoff (SR/Tuscola, Ill.), CJ Smith (SR/Cumming, Ga.), and Matt Trotter

--ONU--

Contact: Brenten Couch, Sports Information GA, bjcouch@olivet.edu