Men’s basketball team beats Hope College, 67-64

Junior Michael McClary (Bellaire) posted his eighth double-double of the season, 22 points and 15 rebounds, to lead the Olivet College men's basketball team to a 67-64 victory over Hope College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest tonight at the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland. Junior Nathan Jennings (Grant) was one rebound shy of his own double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Junior Andre Evans (Muskegon/Heights) added 16 points. With the win, Olivet beat Hope for the first time since Feb. 12, 2005.

The Flying Dutchmen led by eight points, 19-11, at the 13:11 mark. The Comets answered with an 11-0 run to take their first lead of the game since the 17:17 mark. The teams traded baskets before a three-pointer by sophomore Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) put Olivet ahead for good at 26-24 with 6:37 showing on the clock. The Comets' nine-point margin, 39-30, was their largest lead of the first half.

In the second half, Olivet extended its lead to 14 points, 48-34, after McClary drained two free throws at the 17:03 mark. Hope would no closer than the three-point margin of defeat.

McClary made 8-of-18 and 6-of-8 free throws for his 22 points, while 5-of-15 rebounds were off the offensive glass. He also blocked five shots and did not commit a turnover or foul in 37 minutes. Jennings was 5-for-7 from the floor and 5-of-8 from the charity stripe. Evans had seven baskets, including two 3-pointers. Edsall finished with nine points.

Peter Bunn led the Dutchmen with 16 points. Chris Nelis scored 14, while Jared Mysliwiecz came off the bench to score 13 points. Nate Snuggerud had a team-high seven rebounds.

The Comets return home to face Trine (Ind.) University Saturday in the second game of women's/men's basketball doubleheader. The Olivet women will play Saint Mary's (Ind.) College at 1 p.m., followed by the men's game at approximately 3 p.m.