Men's basketball team defeats Alma, 74-57

Behind a game-high 24 points from junior Michael McClary (Bellaire), the Olivet College men's basketball team defeated Alma College, 74-57, this afternoon at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. In addition to his points, McClary had two blocks to become Olivet's all-time leader with 111. The previous record was 109 by De'Andre Pruitt (2002-06).

Olivet scored the first three points of the game and never looked back. The Comets led by 16 points, 18-2, in the first nine minutes of the game. They stretched their lead to as many as 18 points, 31-13, with 5:14 left before halftime. Olivet took a 33-19 into the locker rooms.

In the second half, the Comets extended their lead to 25 points, 61-36, at the 10:53 mark. The Scots went on an 11-0 run to trim their deficit to 14 points with 7:22 left in regulation, but they would not get any closer.

McClary was one of four Olivet starters in double figures, as he drained 12-of-15 shots for his 24 points. Junior Nathan Jennings (Grant) was next with 19 points. Juniors Andre Evans (Muskegon/Heights) and Joe Post (Olivet) each scored 10 points and dished out six assists. Jennings and Post grabbed eight rebounds apiece, as the Comets out-rebounded Alma, 39-26.

Cory Schneider led the Scots with 14 points, while Kevin Ginther added 11 points. Ginther and Terry Smith had five rebounds each.

Olivet will be on the road for its next two games, beginning Wednesday, Jan. 27 when it wraps up the first half of the MIAA schedule against Kalamazoo College. Game time is 7:30 p.m.