TIGERS BATTLE BACK TO TAKE DOWN NO. 24 CARROLL IN FIRST GAME OF CACTUS CLASSIC

CHANDLER, Ariz. – After falling into a double-digit hole early on, the Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team battled back to take down the No. 24-ranked Carroll Saints 91-86 in the first game of the Cactus Classic Sunday evening.

Carroll (7-4) led by double-figures for the majority of the first half, but a late run helped the Tigers stay within striking distance. Tyler Schmidt ignited the run with a driving layup, while Caleb Corro and Griffin Andricks connected from long-range to cut the lead to 45-41. And after Corro scored in transition on the following play, the Tigers only trailed by a bucket

Neither team could take the reins in the first ten minutes of the second half and the Tigers found themselves down 70-67 inside the final nine minutes. But Sam Emich himself scored six-straight points to give ONU their first lead of the game.

Both teams took turns holding on to a one-point lead. With 53 seconds remaining, the Saints took an 86-85 lead after hitting two free throws. On the Tigers next possession, Caleb Swearingen took a great pass from Andricks to the rim to retake the lead with 38 seconds to go.

After leading the Tigers offensively down the stretch, Emich made the key defensive stop by blocking a dunk attempt on the Saint's following possession. Landon Pflederer and Emich both sank their free throws down the stretch to cement the 91-86 ONU victory.

Emich finished with a season-high 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He also hit all five of his free-throw attempts. Schmidt dropped in 22 points and led the team in rebounds and tied the team lead in assists with five each. Pflederer also dished out five assists to go with his 10 points. Corro added 10 off the bench.

The 91-86 win marks the Tigers' 10th win of the season. They will return to the hardwood tomorrow for day two of the Cactus Classic.

GAME VITALS

Final: Olivet Nazarene 91, Carroll 86

Records: Olivet Nazarene 10-3 | Carroll 7-4

Location: Coyote Center | Carroll University | Chandler, Ariz.

QUICK HITS

• Sam Emich scored a season-high 24 points.

• Tyler Schmidt scored 22 with five rebounds and five assists.

• Landon Pflederer and Caleb Corro scored 10 each.

• The Tigers dished out 20 assists.

• ONU shot 59-percent from the floor and 46-percent from deep.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers will wrap up their Arizona trip with a date against Arizona Christian, the No. 1-ranked team in the nation, on Monday night. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CST.

--ONU—

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