Men’s basketball team loses to Hope, 79-70, in MIAA-opener

The Olivet College men's basketball team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with a 79-70 loss against Hope College tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The Comets led by as many as six points, 24-18, with 11:10 left in the first half when sophomore Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights) drained three free throws. The Dutchmen battled back with an 8-0 run to regain the lead, 26-24. Olivet scored four straight points to take the lead back, 28-24. Hope grabbed the lead back with a three-pointer, surging ahead by as many as 13 points on three occasions. The Dutchmen settled for a nine-point lead, 48-39, after the first 20 minutes.

In the second half, Hope extended its lead to 17 points, 69-52, at the 9:29 mark. Over the next five minutes, 38 seconds, Olivet rattled off 16 straight points to trim its deficit to one point, 69-68, after sophomore Joe Post (Olivet) converted a steal into a fast break layup. The Dutchmen answered with a 10-2 run to end the game.

The Comets placed four starters in double figures, led by senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) with 23 points. Evans finished with 17 points, followed junior Joel Kerns (North Judson, Ind.) with 11 and sophomore Michael McClary (Bellaire) with 10. Brandon McClary also had a team-high five rebounds. Post added a game-high five assists.

Jesse Reimink paced Hope with 28 points, while Peter Bunn had 17 points. Will Bowser contributed 10 points and eight rebounds. Zach Osborn also grabbed eight rebounds.

Olivet will travel to play Trine (Ind.) University Saturday at 3 p.m.