GROSS RECORDS THIRD CAREER TRIPLE-DOUBLE IN 90-72 WIN OVER JUDSON

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The No. 13 Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team hosted the Judson University Eagles for a Wednesday night Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) matchup inside McHie Arena.  The Tigers earned their 18th league win and defeated the Eagles 90-72. 

The Eagles got off to a hot start as they led early 14-6.  A pair of layups by Tyler Schmidt cut the Eagle lead to four at 14-10.  The Eagles continued to hold the serve as they lead by as much as nine at 21-12.  The Tigers closed the gap to four as Alex Gross converted an and-one opportunity and Griffin Andricks buried a jumper.  At 28-23, the Tigers took the lead for the first time.  ONU went on a 6-0 run and led 30-29.  With Judson up 32-31, Caleb Corro dropped in a three to make the score ,34-32.

Gross scored the final eight points of the half as the Tigers led 42-36 going into the halftime break.  Gross led the Tigers with 23 points and six boards, while Landon Pflederer added six boards and six assists.  The Tigers only attempted a pair of threes but shot 52% from the field. 

Halftime: No. 13 Olivet Nazarene 42, Judson 36 

The Tigers saw offensive production from Schmidt and Barik Olden at the beginning of the second half and led 49-42.  The Eagles cut the lead to five until Schmidt and Pflederer extended the Tiger lead to 10 at 54-44.  At 60-52, Gross scored the next five points and led 63-52.  At 76-64, Schmidt and Gross combined for the next eight ONU points and took an 84-64 lead.

The Tigers overcame an early deficit in the first half and defeated Judson, 90-72. 

GAME VITALS

Final: No. 13 Olivet Nazarene 90, Judson 72

Records: No. 13 Olivet Nazarene: 24-3 (18-1 CCAC) | Judson: 11-15 (8-10 CCAC)

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

QUICK HITS

• Gross recorded his third career triple-double with 37 points, 17 rebounds, 10 blocks, and added seven assists.  Gross also eclipsed the 1,100 total in career rebounds. 
• Pflederer led the Tigers with a career-high 13 assists, dropped in seven points, and grabbed six rebounds. 
• Schmidt followed with 21 points. 
• The Tigers shot 66% from behind the arc, 94% from the charity strike, and 56% from the field. 
• The Tigers outscored the Eagles, 58-44, in points-in-the-paint.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers finish their week on the road as they travel up to Palos Heights with a meeting with Trinity Christian College on Saturday, February 12.  Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.

--ONU—

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