TIGERS SUFFER NON-CONFERENCE SETBACK AT IU KOKOMO

KOKOMO, Ind. – The Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team has yet to get off the schneid in the early goings of the season, suffering a non-conference 89-74 defeat to Indiana Kokomo Saturday afternoon in the Student Activities & Events Center.

Despite the final score, the Tigers hung tough in the early goings. Eli Edwards knocked down a three-pointer to give ONU an early lead, and a Daniel Murphy steal led to an easy Caleb Swearingen breakaway layup that put the Tigers up 11-8 four minutes in.

Caleb Corro knocked down a pair of free throws to maintain the ONU lead a few possessions later, but that was when IU Kokomo (4-2) eventually found their shooting touch. The Cougars went on an extended 22-12 run to build an eight-point lead at 33-25 with five minutes to play in the opening period.

A flurry of points from junior duo Andrew Bennett and Edwards got the Tigers to within two points. The former knocked down two 3's while the former scored a pair of layups in a two-minute stretch to make it a one possession game at 37-35.

The game remained within reaching distance for ONU trailing 41-37 at the halftime break, but the second half was a different story. The Cougars opened the second period on a 13-4 run to open up a double-digit lead. The deficit swelled to as many as 22 points midway through the period and the Tigers never closed the gap as they dropped the non-conference contest.

Edwards led the team in scoring with 16 points. He nearly recorded his second consecutive double-double, finishing with nine boards. Swearingen and Corro both reached double figures in scoring with 13 and 11, respectively. Luke Braman, Brayden Long, and Tyler Curl all chipped in eight points apiece.

The Tigers have dropped all five contests to open the season but will look to get into the win column when they host East-West Tuesday evening in McHie Arena.

--ONU—

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