Men's basketball team opens MIAA play with 86-70 win against Alma

The Olivet College men's basketball team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play tonight with an 86-70 win against Alma College at the Upton Center in Olivet. The Comets (3-8, 1-0 MIAA) used a balanced scoring attack to beat the Scots (1-10, 0-1 MIAA).

Junior Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) led Olivet with a team-high 18 points, including 12-of-13 shooting from the free throw line. Junior Brandon Way (Detroit/Southwestern) contributed 14 points, while freshmen Bryan Dutton (Napoleon) and Andy Sierminski (Jackson/Lumen Christi) each had 11 points. Dutton also posted team-high honors in rebounds (six) and assists (four).

Alma led by 10 points, 15-5, with 13:49 left in the first half. The Comets answered with 15-4 run to take a 20-19 lead. After a 24-24 tie at the 5:03 mark, Olivet scored the next basket and never relinquished its lead. The Comets' biggest lead of the first half was 13 points, 41-28, at the break.

Olivet extended its lead to as many as 20 points twice in the first 6:47 off the second half clock. The closest the Scots would get was 10 points with 5:34 left in the game. The Comets sealed their win by making nine-of-12 free throws in the final 5:34.

Alma was led by Isaac Smith with a game-high 22 points. Ryan DeHaan joined him in double figures with 11 points. He also grabbed a team-high five rebounds as the Scots were out-rebounded 37-29.

Olivet is back in action Saturday, Jan. 6, when it travels to play Hope College at the DeVos Fieldhouse at 3 p.m.