Men’s basketball team loses heartbreaker to Albion, 73-71

The Olivet College men's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 73-71 loss to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

In the second half, the Britons led by as many as eight points, 61-53, at the 8:18 mark. Over the next 3:40, Olivet answered with a 14-7 run to make it a one-point game, 68-67. Albion added a free throw and three-pointer from the top of the key to extend its lead back to five points.

Olivet scored a layup and free throw to trail by two points with 30 seconds. After the Britons turned the ball over with 10 seconds left in regulation, sophomore Joe Post (Olivet) was at the charity stripe with a chance to send the game to overtime, but he made just one free throw. An Albion player was fouled grabbing the defensive rebound on the missed free throw, and he drained one of the free throws to make the score, 73-71. Olivet could not get off a final shot.

Senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) posted his fourth double-double of the season with a game-high 29 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Michael McClary (Bellaire) joined Brandon in double figures with 13 points. Michael also grabbed seven rebounds, blocked three shots and made two steals in 28 minutes before fouling out for just the second time in 37 collegiate contests.

Albion was paced by Drew Yancey's 20 points. Dave Elliott and Andre Bridges were sparks off the bench with 16 and 14 points, respectively. Andrew Holms added 12 points. Elliott and Yancey each grabbed five rebounds.

Olivet returns to the court Saturday when it travels to play Kalamazoo College at 3 p.m.