SEASON ENDS AGAINST MADONNA IN NAIA FIRST ROUND | https://cdn.prestosports.com/action/cdn/img/mw=1920/cr=n/d=r6nwm/zflblyi1usfiyqjg.jpg
SEASON ENDS AGAINST MADONNA IN NAIA FIRST ROUND | https://cdn.prestosports.com/action/cdn/img/mw=1920/cr=n/d=r6nwm/zflblyi1usfiyqjg.jpg
Back in the NAIA National Championships for the fifth-consecutive season, the Olivet Nazarene University men's basketball team saw its season come to an end Tuesday in a 94-67 loss against Madonna (Mich.) in the First Round.
The Tigers took control of the game early. Barik Olden connected for back-to-back baskets before Tyler Schmidt buried a pair of threes that put ONU up by 10-6 five minutes into the action.
A Griffin Andricks three-pointer at the midway point of the first half had the Tigers up by six. But that was when Madonna, fresh off a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Tournament championship, dropped in a pair of three-pointers to tie things up.
The Crusaders (25-7) were holding on to a three-point advantage when Sam Emich drove to the basket, was fouled, and scored to tie it once again. After a quick 7-0 run from Madonna, Landon Pflederer knocked down a triple to make it a four-point game heading into halftime.
Coming out of the break, Schmidt scored in transition to make it a one-possession game. But this would prove to be the closest the Tigers would get as Madonna opened up a 12-4 run to make it a double-digit difference on the scoreboard.
ONU was able to cut the deficit to three on three separate occasions by the midway point of the second period, but couldn't get over the hump. The Crusaders outscored the Tigers 33-9 over the final 11 minutes of the game to pick up the win and advance to the NAIA Second Round, where they will face Grace (Ind.).
Schmidt led all scorers with 25 points on an efficient 11-for-15 shooting from the floor. He also knocked down two triples. Olden was the only other Tiger in double figures with 15.
The Tigers finished the season 23-8 overall.
GAME VITALS
Final: Madonna 94, Olivet Nazarene 67
Records: IU-South Bend 25-7 | Olivet Nazarene 23-8
Location: The MOCC | Grace (Ind.) College | Winona Lake, Ind.
QUICK HITS
- The loss eliminates the Tigers from the NAIA National Tournament.
- Tyler Schmidt led all scorers with 25 points.
- Barik Olden contributed 15 points.
- ONU shot just 40.9 percent from the floor.
Original source can be found here.
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