Olivet gets a measure of revenge in win over Harper Creek

The last time Olivet faced Harper Creek, the Beavers ended the Eagles' 19-1 season in a district tournament game.

This time, the result was turned around. And while this mid-December contest with two squads still trying to figure out what kind of teams they will be, wasn't quite the same type of game emotionally, Olivet will take the win and enjoy a small piece of revenge.

Olivet held off Harper Creek, 67-61, in this non-conference boys basketball game at home on Tuesday.

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"This was a little bit different kind of game," Olivet coach Matt Seidl said. "Last year they ended our season and we applauded them for it, they were the better team. This year, maybe we have an edge of experience and we expected a good game and it was good to get a win this time."

Harper Creek was up 41-39 near the end of the third quarter after a 3-pointer by KeyShaun Matthews. Olivet then went on a 5-0 spurt to end the period and scored the first bucket of the fourth quarter on a driving layup by Charlie Anderson for a 46-41 advantage.

The Beavers never went away from there, but it was the small surge that the Eagles needed to win the game as Olivet's Bo Lincoln scored 12 of his 21 points in the final period to hold on to the lead. Drew Priddy had 13 points and Tayven Feldpausch added 11 points, six rebounds and three assists as Olivet remained undefeated at 3-0.

"We have been a good third-quarter team, all of last year and into this year and that's something we take some pride in," Seidl said. "And once we got control of it and had that two- or three-possession lead, we felt like we could finish it off."

Part of that surge was an untimely turnover that led to a basket and a missed assignment giving Olivet an open 3-pointer. It's part of what Harper Creek is working through with five new starters on the floor from last year.

"I really liked how we played for three quarters and we were right there," Harper Creek coach Matt Bowling said. "Even had the lead and we just didn't make enough plays when we had the lead. We made a couple of mistakes and they took advantage of those mistakes. But we played well. We are young still and we learned from this game. Still heading in the right direction and played well against a good team. I'm proud of my guys."

Harper Creek falls to 1-2 with Matthews leading the charge with 26 points as Brody McKerchie added 14.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Olivet gets a measure of revenge in win over Harper Creek