Men's basketball team comes up short against Alma, 69-66

A game-tying three-pointer by sophomore Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights) rimmed out at the buzzer, and the Alma College men's basketball escaped with a 69-66 win over Olivet College today at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

After Alma went up by three points, 12-9, with 14:58 left in the first half, Olivet went on an 11-3 run to take an eight-point lead, 20-12. The Comets maintained their lead and settled for a 28-26 at the halftime break.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair with neither team leading by more than three points for the first 13 minutes, 19 seconds. The Scots took a five-point lead, 57-52, at the 6:41 mark. The Comets fought back and took a 60-59 lead on a pair of free throws by Evans with 4:32 left in regulation. Alma grabbed a four-point lead, 64-60, with 3:19 left in regulation.

Again, Olivet answered with four straight points to tie the game at 64-64 with 1:03 showing on the clock. Cory Schneider nailed a three-pointer to put Alma ahead. Olivet responded with a layup from junior Joel Kerns (North Judson, Ind.) to cut its deficit to a point. A pair of free throws from Schneider stretched the Scots' lead back to three. As the buzzer sounded, Evans' three-pointer rattled on the rim and fell off.

Olivet placed four starters in double figures, led by senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) with a game-high 26 points. Kerns and sophomore Michael McClary (Bellaire) each scored 12 points. Evans finished with 11 points. Michael McClary had 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season and second one this week. Evans and sophomore Joe Post (Olivet) had four assists apiece.

Alma was led by Jordan Redditt with 19 points. Schneider and Matt Brown were sparks off the bench with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Ryan DeHaan had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The Comets concludes the first half their MIAA schedule next Wednesday, Jan. 27, when they travel to play Adrian College. Tip-off from the Merillat Center is 7:30 p.m.