Olivet Nazarene outscores Harper

Tuesday evening the Harper College men’s basketball team did something it hadn’t done since Nov. 17 — play a home game.

That last time on their own court, Harper erased a 45-30 halftime deficit to defeat Oakton Community College 84-79 at the Sports and Wellness Center.

On this night, though, the Hawks (5-4) were without three starters due to injury and suffered a 103-85 loss to NAIA member Olivet Nazarene’s JV.

“It’s a team thing — we didn’t have it tonight,” said Harper sophomore forward Kyler Market.

The loss was the first one at home since the Hawks fell to South Suburban on Nov. 2.

Freshman point guard Austin Davis was able to knife through the lane and create layups for the Lions’ big men, sophomore Blake Spenser and freshman Nate Launus. They combined to score 22 points.

“We just couldn’t get a stop,” said Harper coach Tony Amarino.

Amarino said his team’s defensive struggles also affected the Hawks on the other end of the court.

“It causes you to panic and get out of control,” he said.

Kyler Market led Harper with 18 points.

“A will thing comes in when you get down by 20 — it’s a will to win,” Market said. “I wanted to win tonight. It’s hard to explain after you lose by 20.”

Amarino summed up the loss simply.

“We were bad,” he said. “They were good.”