SCHMIDT’S BIG NIGHT LEADS ONU PAST REDHAWKS IN OVERTIME 

GARY, Ind. – Tyler Schmidt filled in a 35-point, 10-assist double-double to help the Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team outlast Indiana Northwest 102-98 in overtime Saturday afternoon at the Savannah Center. 

Schmidt, the defending unanimous CCAC Player of the Year, shot a sizzling 11-of-18 from the floor, including four 3-pointers, and sank all nine of his free throw attempts in scoring a game-high 35 points. His 10 assists marked the second game this season where he's recorded double-digit dimes, while nearly missing a triple-double with seven rebounds.

The senior guard had plenty of help, with all five ONU starters hitting double figures in the win. Sam Emich continued his dominant stretch with 16 points and Griffin Andricks chipped in 15. Landon Pflederer and Caleb Swearingen each scored 13 points, with the latter hauling down a game-high 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Tigers raced out of the gate in the second period, building a double-digit lead just five minutes in. And by the midway point of the second half, the Purple and Yellow Gold led by 13. But the Redhawks (6-8, 3-3 CCAC) battled back, erasing the ONU lead and putting the Tigers on the ropes in the waning moments of regulation.

Trailing 86-81 with under 30 seconds remaining, Schmidt buried a three to make it a two-point game. After both teams split free throws, Schmidt scored a layup at the buzzer to send it to overtime. The Valparaiso, Ind., native netted seven points in the final minute to force the extra session.

A pair of Pflederer free throws put the Tigers in front 93-92 midway through overtime, followed by an Andricks jumper that extended the lead to three. IU-NW was able to tie it back up with a 3-pointer, but Schmidt sank two free throws to give ONU the lead for good.

The win improves ONU to 11-3 overall and 5-1 in CCAC play. The Tigers will return to McHie Arena for the first time in over a month to host Holy Cross Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. CST.

--ONU—

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