Men's basketball team wins thriller at Trine, 70-68

The Olivet College men's basketball team hung on for a thrilling 70-68 win against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Trine (Ind.) University this afternoon at Hershey Hall in Angola, Ind.

The Comets (6-7, 1-1 MIAA) led for all but 73 seconds in the first 20 minutes of the first half. Their biggest lead was eight points, 20-12, at the 10:25 mark. The Thunder answered with an 8-0 run to tie the game. Olivet took the lead back on a three-pointer and held it until Trine led, 29-28, with 2:12 left before halftime. The Comets tied the game at 29-29 and then made a layup with 45 seconds showing on the clock to take a 31-29 lead into the locker room.

The Thunder (4-8, 0-2 MIAA) led for just 27 seconds in the second half with the last time being at the 5:34 mark. Olivet led by six points, 70-64, with 1:19 left in the game. Trine made a layup to cut its deficit to four and Off a Comet turnover, a fastbreak layup made it a two-point game with 51 seconds left. As the shot clock expired, Olivet missed a three-pointer and the Thunder grabbed the defensive rebound. Senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) poked the ball loose as the horn sounded.

For the Comets, Brandon McClary had a team-high 18 points. Sophomore Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights) and junior Joel Kerns (North Judson, Ind.) contributed 17 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore Michael McClary (Bellaire) was held to just two points, but he grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds.

For the Thunder, Glenn Alfieri led all scorers with 20 points. Wes Weir added 14, while Chris Mislan and Deon Thompson each had 10 points and five rebounds.

Olivet is back in action Wednesday, Jan. 14, when it hosts Albion College in the second game of a women's/men's basketball doubleheader. The Comet women will play Trine at 6 p.m., followed by the men's game at approximately 8 p.m.