Men’s basketball team escapes with 81-77 overtime win at Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Behind a double-double (31 points and 18 rebounds) by senior Michael McClary (Bellaire), the Olivet College men's basketball team escaped with an 81-77 overtime win over Kalamazoo College tonight at the Anderson Athletic Center in Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo took control early in the game, going up by seven points, 12-5, at the 16:14 mark. The Hornets continued to hold the lead until Olivet took a 29-28 advantage after McClary made a free throw to complete a three-point play. Junior Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) made a jumper to put the Comets up three points, 31-28.

Kalamazoo answered with its own three-point play to tie the game at 31-31. Back-to-back three-pointers by Grant Carey allowed the Hornets to take a 38-33 lead with 1:54 remaining in the first half. Olivet scored the final seven points of the half, including a McClary three-pointer with one second left, to take a 40-38 lead into the locker rooms.

In the second half, neither team led by more than three points. Kalamazoo led by three points with 26 seconds remaining in regulation and missed a pair of three throws that would have increased its lead. The Comets sent the game to overtime when senior Joe Post (Olivet) made a three-pointer with nine ticks left in regulation.

In the overtime period, there was three tied scores, with the last one being 75-75 with 2:09 left. Two straight jumpers by McClary gave the Comets a 79-75 lead. The Hornets made two free throws to cut their deficit down to two points with 57 seconds remaining. McClary pushed the lead back to four points when he drained two free throws with 29 seconds left.

McClary made 10-of-22 baskets and was 10-of-10 from the free throw line for his 31 points, while the 18 rebounds matched a career-high. He now has 11 double-doubles this season and 49 for his career. Edsall and Post each scored 12 points. Junior Eric Mack (Eastpointe/Roseville) scored 10 points, and sophomore Matt El (Allegan) came off the bench to score 10.

Joe Prepolec scored 29 points to lead Kalamazoo. Eric Fishman added 15 points, while Carey had 10. Ryan Clark grabbed nine rebounds.

The Comets will host Alma College in their regular season finale Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Before the game, Olivet will honor its four seniors for their commitment to the program. At halftime, the 1971 MIAA champion men's basketball team will be recognized.