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Photo credit: Eric Decker
Photo credit: Eric Decker
Posted: Dec 15, 2022

ONU SUFFERS FIRST CONFERENCE LOSS TO CALUMET

Box Score

WHITING, Ind. – The Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team could not hold off a late comeback on a tough shooting night to suffer their first loss of the conference schedule to Calumet 55-54 Thursday night.

The Tigers took a five-point lead into the locker room, and when Tyler Schmidt knocked down a pair of free throws five minutes into the second half, ONU was up by eight points.

That was, however, when the Crimson Wave (2-7, 2-5 CCAC) began their comeback, rattling off nine-straight points to take their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. Sam Emich knocked a jumper on the following possession to retake the lead, but Calumet had the answer.

This was the tale of the game down the stretch, with neither team able to run away with it. With ONU facing a three-point deficit, Schmidt and Caleb Swearingen combined for six-straight points to flip the script and go up 54-51 with four minutes to play.

ONU would deadlock at 54 points, however, with Calumet being able to find two baskets down the stretch to take the lead. The decisive basket came on a second-chance opportunity. The Tigers could not convert on the game's last possession, dropping the contest 55-54.

Schmidt went 14-of-15 from the free-throw line to finish with a game-high 27 points. Landon Pflederer was the only other Tiger to score in double-figures with 11. Despite going 18-of-19 from the stripe, ONU shot just 37-percent from the floor and less than 16-percent from deep.

This was the first loss in CCAC play for ONU. 

GAME VITALS

Final:  Calumet 55, Olivet Nazarene 54

Records: Calumet 2-7 (2-5 CCAC) | Olivet Nazarene 9-3 (6-1 CCAC) 

Location: Rittenmeyer Center | Calumet College of St. Joseph | Whiting, Ind.

QUICK HITS

  • Tyler Schmidt scored a game-high 27 points.

  • Landon Pflederer was the only other Tiger in double-figures with 11.

  • Sam Emich led the team with eight rebounds.

  • The Tigers shot 18-of-19 from the free throw line, led by Schmidt who went 14-of-15 from the stripe.

  • ONU shot just 37-percent from the floor and less than 16-percent from deep.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers are going wheels up to Arizona to take part in the Cactus Classic. ONU will tip off the tournament against the host Carroll on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. CST.

 

--ONU—

 

*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu