Wabash could manage only 24-percent shooting from the field in the first half (5-of-21) as the Little Giants were outscored 35-18 in the first 20 minutes of the game. Ninteen of the 35 Olivet points came from reserve forward Michael Dyson, who led the Comets with 30 points and 11 rebounds in the game. Dyson entered the game with Wabash leading 5-4 and proceeded to score the next 15 points for the Comets to give Olivet a 22-11 advantage.
The Little Giants rebounded in the second half, in part to better shooting (20-of-35 for 57-percent) through the inside game of junior forward Joe DesJean (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian). DesJean was held to two points and four rebounds in the first period, only to finish the game with 27 points and 14 rebounds. He hit 11-of-15 shots in the second half, bringing Wabash to within two points with with :43 left in the game.
A turnover by the Comets gave Wabash the ball with a chance to tie the contest, but the Little Giants committed one of their 18 turnovers in the game to give the ball back to Olivet. The Comets connected on 3-of-4 free throws in the final seconds to earn a spot in the championship game at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Junior guard Brady Claxton (Shelbyville, IN/Shelbyville) finished with 12 points for the Little Giants in the loss.
Wabash (3-6) will face MacMurray College in the consolation game at 1 p.m. after the Highlanders fell to the University of Wisconsin-Superior 65-61 in the opening contest.