KALAMAZOO, MI - The Kalamazoo College men's basketball team fell at home by one point 60-59 to Defiance on Tuesday night. The Hornets are now 4-4 overall this season and have lost two straight games.
Kalamazoo jumped out to a 16-7 lead in the first seven minutes of the game. The Yellow Jackets went on a small run to bring Kalamazoo's lead down to only 2 with four minutes left in the first half and by the end of the half the Hornets led 31-25.
Charlie Carson hit two big threes off the bench in the first half. He and Mike Oravetz combined for 13 points in the first half to get Kalamazoo jumpstarted. The team shot a phenomenal 52 percent in the first half and held Defiance to only 33 percent shooting.
In the second half, the Hornet defense contained the Yellow Jackets to 33 percent shooting again, however, Kalamazoo's shooting also dropped to 36 percent. The two teams both put on a show from deep; combining for 17 three point field goals. The difference in the game was the rebounding, which Defiance excelled Kalamazoo in 42-29. The Hornets also allowed the Yellow Jackets to round up 17 offense rebounds compared to only six of their own.
Adam Dykema made his fourth shot of the second half with 42 seconds left in the game to put the Hornets up 59-58. The Yellow Jackets stole back the lead with 11 seconds left and unfortunately, the Hornets missed a potential game-winning three pointer as time expired.
Dykema finished with a game high 17 points in the contest in only 21 minutes off the bench. Oravetz finished with 12 points and three assists and Jake Whitney led the team in rebounds with six to go along with his seven points. While the Hornets forced Defiance into poor shooting they were only able to force two turnovers the entire game, which is by far the fewest they've forced all season.
Kalamazoo will look to get back to a winning record on Friday, Dec. 19 on the road against the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.