WILMINGTON – Leading by 46-32 at halftime thanks in part to double-digit offensive rebounds, Olivet College opened the second half on an 11-4 run and coasted to an 86-65 victory over the Wilmington College men’s basketball team in non-conference action at Hermann Court Monday evening.
Both teams traded blows for the first seven minutes, but a 7-0 spurt midway through the half gave Olivet a 22-16 lead at the 12:34 mark. The Fightin’ Quakers kept within striking distance as two free throws from Collmann Aaron made the score 36-31 Comets with 4:31 to play, but Olivet ended the half on a 10-1 run capped by an Eddie Thigpen dunk at the buzzer.
Wilmington would not get closer than the halftime margin at any point in the second half.
Olivet connected on 35-of-71 (49.3 percent) field goals including making 8-of-20 (40.0 percent) from distance while Wilmington had poor shooting night, making just 22-of-69 (31.9 percent) from the floor and 4-of-21 (19.0 percent) from beyond the three-point arc. The Comets also won the rebounding battle 55-34 and dished out 21 assists to the Quakers’ eight.
Individually, Bilal Sow led the Quakers with 20 points while Jeffery Mansfield added 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. Aaron grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. For Olivet, 4-of-5 starters scored in double figures including Thigpen’s 19 points and seven rebounds. Dane Vos turned in a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds while Derrick Johnson and Tevin Ali scored 16 and 12 points respectively.
Wilmington (0-2) heads to the Great Lakes Invitational hosted by Marietta College Friday and Saturday.
