KALAMAZOO - The Kalamazoo College men's basketball team defeated Olivet 75-67 on Wednesday in the first round of the MIAA Tournament. Kalamazoo, which led 35-21 at halftime, advances to Friday's 6 p.m. semi-final game against Hope College. The semi-finals and finals are held at MIAA regular season champion Calvin College.
Dirk Rhinehart led Kalamazoo with a career-high 33 points and nine rebounds. He was 10-of-15 from the field, including 6-of-10 from behind the arc. He was also 7-of-8 at the free throw line. Erik Rhinehart added 11 points on 3-of-3 shooting from behind the arc along with 2-of-2 free throws. Jevon Caldwell-Gross finished with 10 points and four assists. Senior Nate Troyer added seven points and eight rebounds in his final game at Anderson Athletic Center.
Michael Dyson led Olivet with 18 points and nine rebounds. Travis Schellhammer added 14 points and four assists.
Kalamazoo shot 44.9 percent from the field and 52.4 percent (11-21) from three-point range. Olivet was held to 34.4 percent overall and was 9-of-24 (37.5%) from behind the arc. Kalamazoo held a 41-37 edge in rebounding. Kalamazoo committed 25 turnovers, including 15 in the second half. Olivet had 21 turnovers.
The last time Kalamazoo advanced to the semi-finals was in the 1995-96 season. The Hornets defeated Calvin 83-68 at Hope, before falling to Hope 65-62 in the championship game.
