Jan. 28, 2009

Final Stats

ADRIAN, Mich. - The Adrian College men's basketball team was defeated by Olivet on Wednesday night by the final score of 66-63. The Bulldogs had a chance to tie the game with 1.6 seconds left to play in the second half. Brian O'Connor got a three pointer away at the buzzer, but it was no good giving Olivet the win.

Neither team shot the ball well in the first half. The Bulldogs only scored 20 points, which is their lowest first half point total of the season. They shot 36 percent from the floor, but were able to stay in the game because the Comets shot 37 percent.

Brandon McClary came into tonight's game as Olivet's leading scorer. The Bulldogs held B. McClary to four points in the first half on 1-of-9 shooting. His brother, Michael McClary, led the team with eight points through the first half. Olivet led 28-20 at halftime.

Olivet opened up their biggest lead of the game midway through the second half. A jumper by Andre Evans gave the Comets a 14 point advantage, 49-35. Matt Wayne's lay up at the 7:32 mark cut the Comet lead in half, 51-44.

The Bulldogs went on an 8-2 run during the next two minutes to close the gap to 53-52, but Olivet never gave up the lead. They regained a seven point lead with 50 seconds to play in regulation.

Desmond Young hit a three pointer to dig into the Olivet lead. Joel Kerns followed up by hitting one of two free throws for Olivet to make the score 66-61. Young decided to attack the basket on the next trip down the floor. He went for the old fashion three point play as M. McClary fouled him on the lay up. Young missed the free throw keeping the score at 66-63, but the Bulldogs came up with the offensive rebound.

Young shot a three pointer in attempt to tie the game with nine seconds remaining but he was unable to hit the shot. Fortunately for Adrian Evans traveled while grabbing the defensive rebound. O'Connor checked into the game to take the last shot for Adrian. He got a decent look and got the shot away but it didn't go down.

Each team had three players in double figure scoring. The McClary brothers combined to score 31 points to lead the way for the Comets. Evans added 14 points and three assists. Young scored 17 points for the Bulldogs. Matt Wayne contributed with 13 points and five rebounds. Michael Staley did his part with 16 points and four rebounds.

Adrian falls to 6-11 overall with a 3-4 mark in conference play. They will look to get back on track this weekend with a match up against Albion at the Merillat Center.