Men's basketball team loses at Ferris State, 87-76

The Olivet College men's basketball team was defeated by NCAA Division II foe Ferris State University (FSU), 87-76, tonight at Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.

In the first half, the Comets led by one point, 9-8, with 16:52 left. That lead lasted only 22 seconds as a jump shot put the Bulldogs back up. They would go ahead by as many as 13 points, which was also their lead at halftime, 46-33.

In the second half, FSU extended its lead to 25 points, 66-41, at the 13:48 mark. Olivet answered with an 18-2 run to cut its deficit down to single digits, 68-59. The Bulldogs came back with three straight baskets to push their lead back to 15 points. The Comets trimmed their deficit to nine points one more time with three minutes left, but they would not get any closer.

Olivet was led by sophomore Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights), who scored 26 points and dished out four assists. He made 5-of-10 baskets, including three three-pointers, and 13-of-14 free throws. Sophomore Michael McClary (Bellaire) finished with 18 points, while senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) scored 10 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

Justin Keenan topped FSU with a game-high 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the floor and 7-of-10 shooting from the free throw line. Josh Young and Lou Williams chipped in with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

The Comets will return to Michigan tonight and then fly to Texas tomorrow to participate in the San Antonio Shootout on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, they will play Trinity (Tex.) University and on Friday, they will play Whitman (Wash.) College. Both games will tip-off at 8 p.m. CT.