Double-doubles help men’s basketball team beat Spring Arbor, 74-70

Juniors Andre Evans (Muskegon/Muskegon Heights) and Michael McClary (Bellaire) each recorded a double-double to lead the Olivet College men's basketball team to a 74-70 win over Spring Arbor University this afternoon at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The first 11 minutes, 57 seconds of the game was a back-and-forth affair with six tied scores and seven lead changes. Following a 26-26 tie, Olivet (3-4) went ahead 31-26 after senior Bryan Dutton (Jackson/Napoleon) drove to the basket for a layup and drained a three-pointer. The teams traded triples before the Cougars tied the game at 34-34 with 4:18 left before halftime. The Comets closed the half with an 8-0 run to take a 42-34 lead at the break.

In the second half, Spring Arbor (9-3) battled back and forced four tied scores, 46-46, 48-48, 50-50 and 52-52. After the 52-52 deadlock, senior Andy Clark (Lansing/Perry) knocked down two straight baskets to put Olivet ahead for good. The Comets led by as many as five points, as they canned 4-of-6 free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal their victory.

McClary scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season, and the 25th of his career. Evans had 12 points and 11 assists. Junior Nathan Jennings (Grant) joined them in double figures with 18 points. Off the bench, Dutton scored nine points.

Spring Arbor placed three starters in double digits, led D.J. Baisden's game-high 20 points. Richard Blair was next with 16, followed by Rob Boss with 12. Baisden pulled down a team-leading five rebounds.

Olivet is now idle for one week and returns to action next Saturday, Dec. 19, when it hosts Finlandia University at 1 p.m.