McClary’s 32 points lead Olivet men’s basketball team to 88-76 win over Elmhurst (Ill.)

OLIVET, Mich. -- Behind 32 points from senior Michael McClary (Bellaire), the Olivet College men's basketball team defeated Elmhurst (Ill.) College, 88-76, tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

In the first half, the Comets led by seven points on three occasions, with the last time being 28-21 at the 7:19 mark after senior Nathan Jennings (Grant) canned a pair of free throws. The Bluejays answered with a 7-0 run to knot the score at 28-28. Olivet ended the half with a 13-8 run to take a 41-36 lead at the break. The Comets took their first double digit lead of the game, 56-46, with 13:55 left in the game, before extending their lead to as many as 17 points twice.

For the game, Olivet shot 50 percent (28-of-56) from the floor, including 7-of-14 from behind the three-point arc. Elmhurst was 29-of-66 (43.9 percent) and 5-of-13 (38.5 percent) from three-point range.

McClary made 12-of-17 baskets and 8-of-9 free throws for his 32 points. Jennings added 19 points, including nine free throws. Junior Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) chipped in with 14 points with four 3-point baskets. Junior Cameron Duncan (Lansing/Waverly) was a spark off the bench with 12 points to along with a team-leading seven rebounds and four steals. Senior Andre Evans (Muskegon Heights) led all players with eight assists.

For Elmhurst, Zack Boyd scored a team-high 20 points. Mike McCurdy added 15 points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Sean Fendley also reached double figures with 12 points.

The Comets are now idle until next Monday, Dec. 6, when they travel to play Grand Valley State University at 7 p.m.