Men's basketball team falls to Albion, 82-66

Junior Andy Clark (Lansing/Perry) torched the nets for a season-high 17 points, but the Olivet College men's basketball team fell to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Albion College, 82-66, this afternoon at Kresge Gym in Albion.

In the first half, the Britons had a seven-point lead, 19-12, at the 8:50 mark. Olivet answered with a 9-0 run to take a 21-19 lead. A three-pointer put Albion back up by three, 24-21. Again, the Comets scored four straight points to regain the lead. The Britons grabbed the lead back with two free throws and then settled for a 39-36 lead at halftime. Olivet would get as close as five points in the second half.

For the game, each team made 24 baskets. Olivet made seven 3-pointers to four for the Britons. The Comets canned 11-of-15 free throws, while Albion was 30-of-37 from the charity stripe.

Clark was near perfect, making 6-of-7 field goals, including 4-of-4 shooting from behind the arc. Senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) joined him in double figures with 13 points. He also had a team-leading six rebounds. Junior Joel Kerns (North Judson, Ind.) scored 12 points. Sophomore Joe Post (Olivet) dished out a career-best 10 assists.

The Britons had five players score in double figures, led by Andre Bridges' 14 points. J.C. Cruse had 13, while Robbie Clark, Dave Stasiak and Corey Thelen each scored 10 points. Dave Elliott grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.

Olivet is back in action Wednesday, Feb. 11, when it hosts Kalamazoo College in the second game of a women's/men's basketball doubleheader at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. The Comet women will play Alma College at 6 p.m., followed by the men's game at approximately 8 p.m.