RV ONU DOWNS WOLVES ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The RV Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team defeated the Cardinal Stritch University Wolves, 99-92, at the Ralph 'Tres' Hodge Court inside McHie Arena on Saturday afternoon. 

Landon Plfederer jumpstarted the offense for the Tigers has he knocked down a three.  The Tigers then controlled the game.  After Tyler Schmidt made a shot to make the score, 9-4, Cade Chitty's eight points highlighted a 14-0 run.  ONU pulled ahead 21-4.  The Tigers kept up their offensive production halfway through the first half.  After coach Birkey called a timeout with a little over seven minutes left in the half, the Tigers scored nine of the next 12 points making the score, 38-23. 

The Tigers led the Wolves, 53-40, at the half.  Gross led the Tigers with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Chitty tallied 18 points.  The Tigers shot 61% from the field. 

Halftime: RV Olivet Nazarene 53, Cardinal Stritch 40

Chitty kicked off the scoring for the Tigers and led 56-42.  At 57-45, Barik Olden, Gross, and Caleb Corro combined for the next eight points scored by ONU making the score, 65-47. The Wolves then tried to cut into the Tiger deficit.  After Gross made a layup to make the score, 70-50, Cardinal Stritch went on a 7-0 run and were behind, 70-57. The Wolves kept putting pressure on the Tigers.  At 80-59, the Wolves scored the next 11 points and cut the Tiger lead to 80-70.  With under three minutes left, Cardinal Stritch scored 10 of the next 11 points.  The Tigers still hung onto a 93-90 lead. 

The Tigers hit their free throws down the stretch as they hung on to down the Wolves, 99-92. 

GAME VITALS

Final: RV Olivet Nazarene 99, Cardinal Stritch 92

Records: RV Olivet Nazarene: 5-1 (2-0 CCAC) | Cardinal Stritch: 1-4 (0-2 CCAC)

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

QUICK HITS

• Gross led the Tigers with his fifth double-double with 26 points and 17 rebounds. 
• Chitty followed close behind with 24 points and seven boards. 
• Caleb Swearingen came off the bench and scored 10 points. 
• Gross added six assists and four blocks to lead the Tigers.
• The Tigers shot 55% from the field

WHAT'S NEXT?

The RV Tigers return to the road as they travel to play the Fighting Bees of Saint Ambrose on Wednesday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.

--ONU—

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