TIGERS FALL SHORT IN OVERTIME THRILLER WITH IU NORTHWEST

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – After needing overtime in their first matchup earlier this season, it once again took an extra period to determine the winner between the Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team and the Indiana Northwest Redhawks. The Tigers took a lead into halftime but ultimately fell short 85-82 in overtime Wednesday night in McHie Arena.

Back-to-back Daniel Murphy baskets gave the Tigers a one-point advantage at halftime, but the Redhawks (14-9, 11-4 CCAC) battled back to build a seven-point lead of their own with 6:03 left to play.

Trailing 69-62, Griffin Andricks scored five straight points to make it a one possession game. After a Redhawk layup, Landon Pflederer buried a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to one before Tyler Schmidt sank two free throws to give the Tigers the lead.

Sam Emich extended the lead to 74-71 with two minutes remaining, but IU-NW sank three consecutive free throws to tie the game. The Tigers retook the lead on an Andricks layup but a Redhawk jumper on the ensuing possession knotted the game at 76-76, where it would remain at the end of regulation.

Schmidt got the Tigers in front with a driving layup to net the first two points of overtime. The Redhawks, however, would respond with an 8-0 run over the next three minutes to take a commanding lead. Pflederer and Caleb Swearingen connected on jumpshots to make it a two-point game, and split free throws from IU-NW left the door open for ONU. But the last second 3-point attempt bounced off the rim, handing the Tigers the 85-82 defeat.

Four Tigers finished in double figures in the loss, led by 24 points from Schmidt. He recorded his first double-double with rebounds (and third double-double on the season) with a game-high 12 boards. The senior guard also dished out a team-leading eight assists. Pflederer hit four 3-pointers on his way to 18 points. Emich and Andricks netted 11 and 10, respectively.

The loss knocks the Tigers to 16-7 overall and 10-5 in CCAC play. They will take on Governors State for the second time this week Saturday afternoon in McHie Arena.

--ONU—

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