Men’s basketball team loses to Tri-State, 58-54

The Olivet College men's basketball team suffered a 58-54 loss to Tri-State (Ind.) University tonight at the Upton Center in Olivet.

Olivet led by four points twice in the first half. The last time was 21-17 at the 5:37 mark when senior Paul Smith (Jackson/Napoleon) made a three-pointer. The Thunder came back to take a one-point lead, 24-23, at halftime.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half, neither team led by more than four points. The Comets appeared to take control after senior Brandon Way (Detroit/Southwestern) hit a three-pointer to give them a six-point lead, 45-39, with 8:37 left.

Tri-State took the lead back by scoring seven straight points, including back-to-back three-pointers by Tony Benford. Following a 47-all score, the Thunder's Andre Patrick made a dunk to take a 49-47 lead. Tri-State never relinquished its lead by canning six-of-eight free throws in the final 1:41.

For Olivet, junior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) scored a team-leading 20 points on 10-of-18 shooting. He also had six rebounds and three blocks in 32 minutes of action. Way finished with 12 points. Freshman Michael McClary (Bellaire) pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds.

Benford scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Thunder. Patrick joined him in double figures with 13 points. Benford, Patrick and Reid McNally grabbed six rebounds a piece.

Olivet welcomes Kalamazoo College to the Upton Center Saturday for a 3 p.m. game.