SCHMIDT FILLS IN 31 TO LEAD TIGERS PAST FIGHTING BEES IN CCAC OPENER
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Ambrose (1-5, 0-3) | 28 | 28 | 56 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (4-1, 1-0) | 53 | 43 | 96 |
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team rode the hot hand of Tyler Schmidt to roll past the Fighting Bees of St. Ambrose 96-56 in the conference opener in McHie Arena Wednesday afternoon.
Schmidt, the defending CCAC Player of the Week for men's basketball, dropped in a game and season-high 31 points on 14-of-22 shooting. He also contributed six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal. Three other Tigers also finished in double-figures. Sam Emich scored 13 and Barik Olden finished with 12. Griffin Andricks added 12 off the bench.
Despite the final score, the game was fairly contested during the first 10 minutes of play. Both clubs traded baskets to reach a tie at 23-all before the floodgates opened up for ONU. The Tigers held a three-point lead that quickly ballooned to 25 after ONU closed out the first half on a 28-3 run, capped off by an emphatic breakaway dunk by Emich.
The Fighting Bees (1-5, 0-3 CCAC) opened up the second half with an 8-2 run, but after that, it was all ONU. The Tigers went on to outscore St. Ambrose 43-28 in the second half to pick up a dominant 96-56 win to open up CCAC play.
In total, 11 Tigers contributed to the final score.
GAME VITALS
Final: Olivet Nazarene 96, St. Ambrose 56
Records: Olivet Nazarene 4-1 (1-0 CCAC) | St. Ambrose 1-5 (0-3 CCAC)
Location: McHie Arena | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, Ill.
QUICK HITS
- Tyler Schmidt scored a season-high 31 points on 14-of-22 shooting to go with six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
- Three other Tigers finished in double-figures: Sam Emich (13), Barik Olden (12), Griffin Andricks (12).
- 11 Tigers contributed to the final score.
- The Tigers outrebounded St. Ambrose 46-34.
- ONU totaled 23 assists and won the turnover battle 8-13.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Tigers will continue the young CCAC campaign with a road matchup against Saint Xavier Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. CST.
--ONU—
*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu
