Men's basketball team falls to Hope, 80-71

The Olivet College men's basketball team fell to Hope College, 80-71, this afternoon in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) game at the Upton Center in Olivet.

In the first half, the Flying Dutchmen by as many as 18 points, 44-26, with 41 seconds left before the break. A three-pointer by senior Brandon Way (Detroit/Southwestern) cut the Comets' deficit down to 15 points, 44-29, at halftime.

After a Hope basket to start the second half, Olivet went on a 12-1 run to trim its deficit to six points. The Dutchmen responded and built their lead back out to as many as 12 points, 64-52. With 3:05 left in the game, the Comets trailed by just three points, 74-71, when sophomore Joel Kerns (North Judson, Ind.) canned the second of two free throws. Those would be the last two points scored by the Comets.

Junior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) posted a double-double this week, posting game-high honors in points (19) and rebounds (10). Way joined him in double figues with 16, while Kerns came off the bench to score 10. Way also had a team-leading five assists.

Marcus Vanderheide led four Hope starters with 18 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds. Tyler Wolfe contributed 17 points, including 15 in the first half. Derek VanSolkema added 10 points.

The Comets are back in action Wednesday, Jan. 16, when they travel to play Albion College. Tip-off at Kresge Gym is 7:30 p.m.