Men’s basketball team defeats Trine, 73-51

The Olivet College men's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack en route to a 73-51 win over Trine (Ind.) University tonight in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. With the win, the Comets get back to the .500 mark with a 10-10 overall record and go one game over the .500 mark in MIAA play with a 5-4 record.

After the Thunder put the first four points on the scoreboard, Olivet answered with a 12-0 run to take a 12-4 lead at the 13:19 mark. The Comets kept the defensive pressure and did not allow Trine to reach double figures until there was just six minutes left in the first half. Olivet built its lead to 22 points, 33-11, and settled for a 37-21 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Comets extended their lead to 29 points on two occasions. The last time was, 70-41, when junior Blake Brannick (Jackson/Lumen Christi) drove the baseline for a layup with 6:37 showing on the clock.

Freshman Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) came off the bench to score a team-high 12 points. Sophomore Joe Post (Olivet) scored a career-high 11 points. Sophomore Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights) contributed 10 points, while senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) and sophomore Michael McClary (Bellaire) each posted a double-double. Brandon had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Michael scored 10 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. Michael also had four blocks and five steals.

Lamar Jackson was the only Trine player in double figures with 11 points. He also had a team-leading seven rebounds. Olivet held Wes Weir, this week's MIAA Player of the Week, to just five points. He also made the Thunder's only 3-point basket.

Olivet will make the short trip down I-69 and over I-94 to play Albion College Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.