Monmouth Bounces Back To Beat Olivet In Zimmerman Memorial Classic Consolation

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Monmouth Scots fell behind 12-0 to open their first Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Classic game against host Wittenberg. They reversed course in the consolation game, and the result was a convincing 78-62 victory over Olivet.

The Scots jumped out to an 11-0 lead and withstood a furious Olivet rally to improve to 3-8 on the season. The Comets, who lost 68-62 to Marian (Ind.) a day earlier, fell to 2-8.

Olivet fell behind by 22 points in the first half against Marian, and the early going of the consolation game had a similar feel as Monmouth built a 29-15 lead at the 8:16 mark of the first half. Olivet responded with a 16-5 burst to close to within three point before Monmouth scored the last four points of the first half to take a 38-31 lead into the locker room.

After shooting 47 percent from the floor in the first half, the Scots put the game away with 59 percent shooting over the final 20 minutes. Olivet pulled to within four points on two occasions midway through the second half, but Monmouth pulled away with a 13-5 run over the final seven minutes of the game.

Monmouth was led by Kenny Foster, who poured in 24 points and 15 rebounds. He was ably backed by Michael DeDecker with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Wes Dukeman, who contributed 15 points and five boards.

Olivet was paced by a double-double from Alvino Ashley with 15 points and 10 rebounds, a total matched by Paul Lombard in just 18 minutes off the bench. Jaren Edsall added 13 points and Matt El was stellar at both ends of the floor with 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots. Combined with his four blocks the previous night, El tied the tournament record of eight blocks total.