CHICAGO – Jake Ludwig scored a game-high 25 points in a battle against the nation's leading scorer, and the Roosevelt men's basketball team won its fifth consecutive game by defeating Olivet Nazarene 83-72 inside the Goodman Center on Tuesday night.
Ludwig, who was honored before the game after becoming Roosevelt's all-time leading scorer this past Friday, added six assists, while fellow senior Grant Gibson added 19 points and a team-best six rebounds for the Lakers (5-3, 1-0 CCAC) in the victorious conference opener.
Kevin Day added 11 points off the bench.
Nic Reed, who entered the game leading the nation in total points (241) and ranked second in points per game (30.1 ppg), tallied 23 for the Tigers (5-4, 1-2 CCAC).
Ludwig and Gibson scored 15 points apiece in the second half, as Roosevelt broke open a close game and constructed a double-digit lead for a majority of the second half. The Lakers shot 50-plus percent in each period and eventually led by as many as 20 with 6:55 left in regulation.
"It feels good to go into the break on a five-game winning streak," Roosevelt head coach Joe Griffin said. "We came out with pretty good energy and a balanced attack with everyone contributing in a significant fashion. Grant played a terrific all-around game once again, and Ludwig hit some big-time shots for us all game. Kevin Day gave us a great spark off the bench.
"We've got to learn to finish better if we want to take the next step," Griffin continued. "After being up 20 with seven minutes left, we let them creep back in and that was due to turnovers and poor execution. The exciting thing is that we still have a long way to go and we can get much, much better as a team."
Griffin also sent good wishes to legendary Olivet Nazarene head coach Ralph Hodge, who has been out for health reasons as interim head coach Nick Birkey leads the program in his absence.
"The Roosevelt basketball team sends our condolences to Coach Hodge, who is battling with some health challenges," Griffin said. "He is an icon in NAIA basketball, and our program wishes him a healthy recovery and we send our support to Coach Birkey, who's doing a great job in his interim role."
Roosevelt if off until next Wednesday when the Lakers host Saint Xavier.
Jake Ludwig (center) poses with Roosevelt head coach Joe Griffin (right) and Roosevelt director of athletics John Jaramillo after being honored for becoming Roosevelt's all-time leading scorer. (Photo: Dan Lim)
