TIGERS SET TONE EARLY, CRUISE PAST JAGUARS 100-70

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Playing the same opponent for the second time in one week, the Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team used a big first half to cruise to a 100-70 win over the Governors State Jaguars Saturday afternoon in McHie Arena.

After heating up down the stretch to defeat the Jaguars on Monday, the Tigers caught fire early in the game to take down GSU for the second time in six days. Over the first 20 minutes of play, the Purple & Yellow Gold shot better than 75 percent from the floor (22-of-29), knocked down all five of their attempts from beyond the arc, and converted on nine of their 10 free throw attempts.

The Tigers wasted no time in taking control of the game, with Tyler Schmidt cashing in four quick points to give the Tigers a lead they would hold from start to finish. After Governors State (6-18, 4-12 CCAC) knocked down a three to get on the board, ONU responded with an extended 26-5 run over the next seven minutes.

When Jack Holohan ended the spurt with a layup off a dish from Daniel Murphy, the Tigers led 30-8 halfway through the opening period. ONU held Governors State to just 2-for-11 shooting over the seven-minute stretch. The Tigers would lead comfortably from there, cruising into halftime with a 26-point lead.

The lead would only grow from there. And when Schmidt threw down a breakaway dunk to put the Tigers up by 34, Head Coach Nick Birkey cleared the bench as the Tigers rolled to the blowout win.

Schmidt scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the first half. Sam Emich poured in 18 points, nearly missing a triple-double with eight rebounds and seven assists. Griffin Andricks chipped in 13 and Landon Pflederer netted 10 while also recording his 500th career assist during the win.

The win improves the Tigers to 17-7 overall and 11-5 in CCAC play. They will travel to Holy Cross Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. CST tip-off.

--ONU—

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