Men’s basketball team falls to Kalamazoo, 77-69

The Olivet College men's basketball team fell to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Kalamazoo College, 77-69, this evening at the Anderson Athletic Center in Kalamazoo.

The first 13:39 minutes of the game were back and forth with three ties, seven lead changes and either team led by more than five points. After the last tie (21-21), the Hornets (5-17, 3-10 MIAA) outscored the Comets (5-18, 3-10 MIAA) in the final six minutes of the half to take a 38-29 lead at halftime.

Kalamazoo's biggest lead of the second half was 15 points. Olivet was able to cut its deficit down to four points, 73-69, with 27 seconds left.

Junior Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) scored 14 points, including eight-of-10 shooting from the free throw line. Freshman Bryan Dutton (Napoleon) had a career-high 14 points. Junior Paul Smith (Napoleon) grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

For the Hornets, Mat Kellogg made nine-of-nine baskets and six-of-seven free throws for 24 points. Thomas Greer and Pat Clancy joined him in double figures with 15 and 13 points, respectively. Roger Garfield had a team-high eight rebounds.

The Comets conclude the 2006-07 regular season Saturday when they host Albion College at 7:30 p.m.