Small’s double-double helps men’s basketball team beat Albion, 81-54, in MIAA-opener

OLIVET, Mich. – Senior Garner Small (Schoolcraft) posted a double-double, 24 points and 10 rebounds, to lead the Olivet College men's basketball team to an 81-54 over Albion College tonight in its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) opener at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

For the game, the Comets (6-6, 1-0) shot 50.9 percent (29-of-57) from the floor, including 46.4 percent (13-of-28) from behind the arc, and 76.9 percent (10-of-13) from the free throw line. Olivet also dished out 23 assists and committed only five turnovers.

Small made 9-of-16 baskets, including four triples, and two free throws for his 24 points. Sophomore Blake Krum (Schoolcraft) joined him in double figures with 15 points. Junior DaunTrell Hill (Grand Rapids/Wyoming Godwin Heights) finished with eight points and eight assists. Freshman Jeff Cain (Lansing/Sexton) contributed eight points, as 11 different players scored at least one point.

The Comets led the game from start-to-finish. In the opening half, Olivet led by as many 24 points two times, with the last time being 43-19 at halftime. The Comets extended their lead to 30 points, 64-34, at the 9:49 mark of the second half after freshman Eddie Rogers (Saginaw/Carrollton) made a three-pointer. The Britons came back with an 8-0 to trail by only 22 points, but they would not get any closer.

Eric Evans was the lone Albion player in double figures with 11 points. Jordan Herron came off the bench to grab a team-high seven rebounds.

Olivet is back in action Saturday afternoon when it travels to play Kalamazoo College at 3 p.m. The game is a part of a basketball doubleheader at the Anderson Athletic Center in Kalamazoo, as the Comet women will play the Hornets at 1 p.m.