Men’s basketball team loses to Kalamazoo, 70-65

The Olivet College men's basketball team lost to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Kalamazoo College, 70-65, tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

Olivet led by as many as six points twice in the first half with the last time being 26-20 at the 4:23 mark. The Hornets closed the half with a 10-3 run to take a 30-29 lead into the locker rooms. The first 10 minutes, 55 seconds of the second half was a back-and-forth affair with six tied scores. Following a 54-54 tie, Kalamazoo went ahead for good on a pair of free throws by Ryan Clark.

Sophomore Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights) finished the game with a team-high 17 points for the Comets. Senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) added 14 points, while juniors Joel Kerns (North Judson, Ind.) and Andy Clark (Lansing/Perry) had 13 and 12 points, respectively. McClary also posted team-leading honors in rebounds (eight) and blocks (five). He and sophomore Joe Post (Olivet) had four assists.

Kalamazoo was led by Ryan Clark with 18 points and eight rebounds. Verelle Kirkwood came off the bench to score 14 points. Ben Jerome and Joe Prepolec each tallied 12 points.

Olivet will stay home and face MIAA-leader Calvin College Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.