Men’s basketball team opens MIAA play with heartbreaking 68-66 loss at Adrian

The Olivet College men's basketball team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with a heartbreaking 68-66 loss at Adrian College tonight at the Merillat Center in Adrian. The Comets (4-7, 0-1 MIAA) let a 10-point second-half lead slip away in the loss.

In the 10 minutes of the game, neither team led by more than three points. At the 9:11 mark, the Bulldogs made a three-pointer to put them up by five points, 25-20. The Comets back to tie the game at 27-27. Adrian answered with eight straight points to take an eight-point lead, 35-27. Following a 37-29 score, Olivet scored the final six points of the half to trail by only two points, 37-35 at halftime. In the first 20 minutes, junior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) led all scorers with 12 points.

After Adrian scored the first two points of the second half, the Comets went on a 14-0 run to take a 49-39 lead, which was their largest lead of the game. The run was capped by two free throws by freshman Michael McClary (Bellaire).

The Bulldogs scored nine straight points to cut their deficit down to one point, 51-50, at the 11:10 mark, and eventually took a 58-56 lead. Olivet scored back-to-back baskets to take a 60-58 lead. Following two ties, 64-64 and 66-66, Adrian's Desmond Young made a jumper for a 68-66 lead. The Comets had two chances to tie the game and force overtime but both shot attempts fell short.

For Olivet, Brandon McClary posted team-high honors in points (18) and rebounds (nine). Michael McClary finished with 14 points. Seniors Brandon Way (Detroit/Southwestern) and Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Young led the Bulldogs with 18 points, while Lamar Cardenas and Ryan Gallus each scored 11 points. Ian Weber grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Comets continue league play Saturday when they host Hope College, ranked No. 8 in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll. Tip-off at the Upton Center in Olivet is 3 p.m.