McClary brothers post double-doubles as men's basketball team defeats Kalamazoo, 85-80

Brandon McClary and Michael McClary (Bellaire) each posted a double-double to lift the Olivet College men's basketball team to a thrilling 85-80 win over Kalamazoo College today at the Upton Center in Olivet. The win snapped the Comets' five-game conference losing streak.

The Comets scored the first 14 points of the game and never trailed again in the first half. Their biggest lead of the first 20 minutes was 15 points, 19-4, with 11:01 left before the break. The Hornets battled back to cut their deficit to two points on two occasions with the last time being 35-33 at halftime.

Kalamazoo took its first lead of the game, 46-44, with 15:54 left in the game. The Hornets held that lead for close to 11 minutes. Following a 69-all tie, Brandon McClary and senior Jeff Cooper (Dowagiac) each made a layup to give Olivet a 73-69 lead at the 3:18 mark. The Comets did not relinquish their lead for the rest of the way.

The biggest basket of the game was a three-pointer by senior Brandon Way (Detroit/Southwestern), which made it a five-point game (78-63) with 48 seconds remaining. Olivet sealed the way by canning 7-of-8 free throws, four from Cooper and three from Way, in the final 48 seconds.

Way scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Comets. Brandon McClary scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. He also had three steals, two assists and did not commit a turnover in 33 minutes. Michael McClary finished with 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. He also had four steals, three assists and three blocks in 38 minutes.

The Hornets were led by Henry McCain, who posted team-high honors in points (22) and rebounds (nine). Pat Clancy and Mat Kellogg scored 19 and 16 points, respectively.

Olivet is back in action Wednesday, Jan. 30, when it travels to play Calvin College at 7:30 p.m.