EMICH, SCHMIDT LEAD TIGERS TO VICTORY OVER FIGHTING SAINTS

JOLIET, Ill. – Tyler Schmidt and Sam Emich combined for over half of the Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team's points to lead the Tigers to a 69-59 win over St. Francis (Ill.) Wednesday evening.

Schmidt recorded a game-high 21 points in the win, marking the ninth time this season he has scored over 20 in a game, while Emich knocked down three triples on his way to 19 points. The senior duo did most of their damage in the second half, with Schmidt dropping in 15 and Emich filling in 10 over the final 20 minutes of play.

They were the only two Tigers to reach double figures, but that was all they needed as ONU locked up the Fighting Saints on defense. The Tigers limited St. Francis (Ill.) to worse than 37-percent shooting from the floor and only allowed four Saint' 3-pointers on 13 attempts.

Trailing a bucket entering the second half, Emich opened the scoring with a three-pointer to put ONU back on top. After a response from St. Francis, Emich notched another three that sparked an 18-2 Tiger run.

Schmidt scored eight points in the run, while Emich scored five with a three and a dunk, while Daniel Murphy and Caleb Swearingen each contributed to the scoring stretch that had ONU up 48-34 at the midway point of the second half. The Tigers led by double digits from there.

Landon Pflederer recorded nine points with four rebounds and steals apiece. Murphy, Swearingen, and Eli Edwards each scored six. Austin Eifert rounded out the ONU scoring with a pair of points.

Swearingen led the Tigers on the glass with seven. Emich, Edwards, Murphy, and Eifert each brought down six rebounds to help the Tigers outrebound USF 48-32.

The win improves ONU to 10-3 overall and 4-1 in CCAC play. The Tigers will travel to Indiana on Saturday to take on IU-Northwest at 3 p.m. CST.

--ONU—

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