RV TIGERS USE STRONG SECOND HALF TO TAKE DOWN THE TROJANS ON MONDAY NIGHT

DEERFIELD, Ill. – The RV Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team traveled up to Trinity International University for a Monday evening CCAC contest. The Tigers used a 17-0 run in the second half to catapult them to a 97-72 win over the Trojans.   

The Trojans started the game with a pair of three pointers and led 6-2.  After TIU eventually led 11-4, Caleb Swearingen, Tyler Schmidt, Barik Olden, and Alex Gross jumpstarted the Tiger offense as they led 12-11.  A Landon Pflederer three extended the ONU lead to 15-11.  At the score 23 all, The Tigers went on a 7-0 run highlighted by a three-pointer by Pflederer making the score, 30-23.  With seven minutes left, the Trojans knocked down a pair of threes to take a 32-31 lead. 

The two teams traded leads and ties the duration of the first half as the Tigers and Trojans go into the locker room deadlocked at 38. Gross led the Tigers with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. 

Halftime: RV Olivet Nazarene 38, Trinity International 38

The two teams came out of the half trading layups and saw the game tied at 42 until Pflederer buried the next five points for the Tigers making the score 47-44. At the score 49-46, The Tigers went on a lengthy, 17-0 run to make the score, 66-46.  During that stretch, Gross scored eight points.  Every time the Trojans tried to cut into the lead, the Tigers kept knocking down shots. 

The Tigers knocked down all 13 free throws attempted in the final five minutes of the game while James Owen buried a three in the final minute as ONU earned the 97-72 victory over Trinity International. 

GAME VITALS

Final: RV Olivet Nazarene 97, Trinity International 72

Records: RV Olivet Nazarene University: 19-3 (13-1 CCAC) | Trinity International: 8-14 (4-10 CCAC)

Location: Van Dixhorn Arena | Trinity International University | Deerfield, Ill.

QUICK HITS

• Gross played 39 of 40 minutes and marked 22 points and a career-high 22 rebounds. 
• Gross also added a season-high eight blocks and five assists. 
• Schmidt also scored 22 points, while Olden followed with 18 points. 
• Pflederer, who played 39 of 40 minutes, and Corro contributed 16 and 12 points, respectively. 
• The Tigers outrebounded TIU 47-21 and outscored them 50-26 in points-in-the-paint
• Griffin Andricks made his first career start for the Tigers. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The RV Tigers have a short turnaround as they travel across stateliness into Indiana for a matchup with the Crimson Wave of Calumet St. Joe on Wednesday, January 26.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

--ONU—

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