Men’s basketball team loses to Kalamazoo, 80-73

OLIVET, Mich. -- Senior Michael McClary (Bellaire) scored 39 points and moved into second on the all-time scoring list, but the Olivet College men's basketball team was defeated by Kalamazoo College, 80-73, tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

McClary now has 1,619 points and needs only 24 points to pass Mike Maciasz and become the career leader.

The teams traded three-point baskets to start the game. Kalamazoo scored the next basket and never trailed again. The Hornets built a pair of 10-point leads around the midway point of the half. Olivet fought back and trimmed its deficit down to five points, 29-24, with 4:51 left before halftime.

After Kalamazoo regained an eight-point lead, 36-28, McClary made a free throw to complete a three-point play to make the score 36-31. The Hornets then scored six consecutive points to take their largest lead of the half, 42-31. The Comets got a basket to make the 42-33 at halftime.

In the second half, Olivet cut its deficit down to four points on five occasions, with the last time being 71-67 with 2:16 left in the game. Kalamazoo made 6-of-8 free throws in the final minute to cap its victory.

McClary drained 16-of-26 baskets and 7-of-8 free throws for his 39 points. He also grabbed 11 rebounds to secure his 46th career double-double, including his third straight and fifth against MIAA opponents. Senior Nathan Jennings (Grant) added nine points. Senior Joe Post (Olivet) recorded eight assists and turned the ball over only once.

The Comets (7-10, 2-4 MIAA) will wrap up the first half of their MIAA schedule next Wednesday, Jan. 26, when they travel to play Alma College. Tip-off inside the Art Smith Arena is 7:30 p.m.