SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The fourth time was the charm for the Olivet College Comets. Making their second appearance in the last three years on the hardwood at Wittenberg's HPER Center for the Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Classic, the Comets collected their first win with a 65-58 victory over Marian in the consolation game of the 2007 tourney.
The win moved Olivet to 3-6 on the season, while Marian dropped to 6-7. The Comets lost a first-round game on Friday to host Wittenberg, while Marian dropped a double overtime thriller to Wisconsin-La Crosse.
The difference in this game was Olivet's outstanding shooting as the Comets blistered the nets for 57 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free throw line. Coupled with a 35-30 rebounding advantage, Olivet did just enough statistically to overcome 21 turnovers (compared to 14 for Marian) and eight more successful free throws for the Knights.
The Comets ran out to a 22-9 lead in the early going and held a 33-26 advantage at halftime. Marian rallied to tie the game twice in the second half, the last time being at the 4:56 mark at 50-50. Olivet responded with a 7-0 run, including five straight points by Brandon Way, and the Comets held on late thanks to four straight free throws by Jeff Cooper inside the final 14 seconds.
Olivet was paced by Michael McClary with team-highs of 14 points and nine rebounds. Way added 13 points, Cooper chipped in 12 on the strength of 8-of-9 shooting from the free throw line, and Brandon McClary contributed 10 points and eight boards.
Marian picked up a game-high 17 points from Jordan Tucker to go along with a team-high eight rebounds. Tyler Kleinschmidt added 14 points and four rebounds and Brandon Callahan contributed 12 points and five rebounds.