RV TIGERS DOWNED THE V-HAWKS AT MCHIE ARENA ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The RV Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team traveled outside of CCAC play and hosted the V-Hawks of Viterbo University for the first ever meeting between the two schools on Wednesday night inside McHie Arena. 

Alex Gross, Landon Plfederer, and Tyler Schmidt kicked off the scoring for the Tigers early in the first half as they took an 8-3 lead.  The V-Hawks then chipped into the Tiger lead and cut the lead to three at, 14-11, until Schmidt knocked down a three to extend the Tiger lead to 17-11.  The V-Hawks then scored seven of the next nine points and cut the Tiger lead to 18-17.  In the rest of the half, the two teams traded leads and neither team could pull away from the other. 

Schmidt's 19 and Gross's 10 first half points was just enough for the Tigers as they took a slim, 40-39, lead going into the half.  Barik Olden led the way with six boards and Gross had six assists.  Viterbo shot 58% from beyond the arc and the Tigers shot 57% from the field for the game. 

Halftime: RV Olivet Nazarene 40, Viterbo 39

The beginning of the second half was a back-and-forth affair four minutes into in the half.  A dunk by Gross and a pair of layups by Chitty sparked a 13-5 run as the Tigers took over the game and made the score, 57-48.  With seven minutes left in the game, a pair of layups by Caleb Swearingen and a lay up each by Schmidt and Chitty led an 8-1 run as the Tigers took a 78-64 lead. 

The Tiger offense saw three double-digit scorers and timely defense as ONU took down Viterbo, 89-70. 

GAME VITALS

Final: RV Olivet Nazarene 89, Viterbo 70

Records: RV Olivet Nazarene: 9-2 | Viterbo: 4-6

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

QUICK HITS

• Schmidt tied his career-high with 29 points and seven rebounds. 
• Gross followed with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while adding six blocks and assists. 
• Chitty posted a season-high 18 points. 
• Plfederer marked eight assists. 
• The Tigers outrebounded the V-Hawks, 44-28. 
• The Tigers also outscored the V-Hawks 48-24 in the paint. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The RV Tigers head up I-57 to play the Jaguars of Governors State University on Saturday, December 11.  Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.

--ONU—

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