Men's basketball team falls to Whitman (Wash.), 91-87

Despite getting a balanced scoring attack, the Olivet College men's basketball team fell to Whitman (Wash.) College, 91-87, tonight at the San Antonio Shootout. For his efforts in the shootout, senior Brandon McClary (Bellaire) was named to the all-tournament team.

McClary scored a team-high 25 points. Sophomore Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights) chipped in with 14 points, while junior James Scott (Detroit/Finney) had 11 points and eight assists. Juniors Blake Brannick (Jackson/Lumen Christi) and Joel Kerns (North Judson, Ind./North Judson) each had eight points.

Off the bench, freshman David Harmon (Muskegon) scored four points and posted game-high honors in rebounds (nine) and blocked shots (five). As a team, Olivet recorded 14 blocks to zero for Whitman.

Whitman scored the first eight points of the game. The Comets came back and eventually tied the game at 21-21. Olivet took its only lead of the first half, 32-31, at the 7:15 mark, but Whitman took a 49-47 lead into the locker room.

Olivet fell behind by nine points on two occasions in the second half with the last time being 60-51 at the 15:14 mark. The Comets fought back to take a 72-71 lead with 8:20 left in regulation. Over the next four minutes, the teams traded the lead five times before Whitman took the lead for good at 79-78.

Whitman was led by Chris Faidley with 34 points, including eight three-pointers. Brandon Shaw contributed 22 points.

The Comets will be back in action next Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6 when they participate in the MIAA-WHAC Challenge at Alma College. Olivet will play Madonna University on Friday and University of Mich.-Dearborn on Saturday. Both games will start at 6 p.m.