Men's basketball team defeats Aquinas, 68-67, in season-opener

Sophomore Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights) made two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to lift the Olivet College men's basketball team to a 68-67 victory over Aquinas College tonight in Grand Rapids. The game was the Comets' season-opener.

In the first half, neither team led by more than four points. At halftime, Aquinas had a one-point lead, 31-30. That trend continued into the first seven minutes of the second half. After a 44-44 tie, the Saints scored 11 straight points to take a 55-44 lead. Olivet battled back with a 17-6 run to knot the score at 61-61.

Aquinas went up 65-63 with 47 seconds remaining. Senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) was fouled and made the first free throw, but missed the second free throw. Evans grabbed the rebound and dished to McClary for the go-ahead basket, 66-65 with 32 ticks left on the clock.

The Saints answered with two free throws to take the lead back, 67-66. With three seconds showing on the clock, Evans was fouled and he made both free throws. A last second three-point attempt for Aquinas was off the mark.

Brandon McClary posted a double-double, 25 points and 10 rebounds, to lead the Comets. Sophomore Michael McClary (Bellaire) was one rebound shy of a double-double, as he scored 10 points to go along with his nine rebounds. Evans finished with nine points. Freshman Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) also had nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point land. Sophomore Joe Post (Olivet) scored five points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out a game-high six assists and blocked two shots.

Jordan Torres scored a game-high 24 points for Aquinas. Pedja Lazic scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

Olivet returns to action Friday and Saturday when it hosts the 2008 Gary Morrison Tournament at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. Friday's games feature Andrews University vs. Concordia University at 3 p.m., and Notre Dame College of Ohio vs. Olivet at 7 p.m.