Men’s basketball loses close game to Calvin, 78-74

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Olivet College men's basketball team fell to Calvin College, 78-74, tonight in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest at the Van Noord Arena in Grand Rapids.

The Knights took their largest lead of the first half, 28-14, at the 10:35 mark. The Comets fought back and cut their deficit down to five points, 38-33, with 2:09 left before halftime. Calvin scored the final basket of the half to take a 40-33 lead into the locker room.

Olivet opened the second half with a 9-4 run to trim the Knights' lead down to two points, 44-42, at the 16:30 mark. Calvin gained a double figure lead for the first time in the half at 64-54 and stretched its lead to as many as 13 points 69-56 with 4:47 left in the game. Undaunted, the Comets went on a 18-7 run to get within two points, 76-74, in the closing seconds. The Knights sealed the win by making a pair of free throws with one second left.

Olivet was led by seniors Nathan Jennings (Grant) and Michael McClary (Bellaire), who each scored 22 points. Jennings was 8-of-19 from the floor and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. McClary made 10 baskets, including his first-ever three-pointer, and one free throw for his 22 points. McClary just missed his third straight double-double, as he gathered nine rebounds. He also had two blocks. Junior Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) came off the bench to score 12 points.

Calvin had four players reach double figures, led by Tom Snikkers' 17 points. Danny Rodts added 14, while Bryan Powell and Brent Schuster had 11 and 10, respectively. Snikkers also grabbed a team-leading eight rebounds.

The Comets will host Hope College Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.