Olivet men’s basketball team defeats Case Western, 86-69, in first round of 2010 John Steadman Tournament

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Olivet College men's basketball team defeated Case Western University, 86-69, tonight in a first round game of the 2010 John Steadman Tournament, hosted by John Carroll University at the DeCarlo Varsity Center in University Heights, Ohio.

Olivet led by six points, 8-2, in the early stages of the game. The Spartans battled back with a 7-0 run to take a 9-8 lead. The teams traded baskets and free throws over the next nine minutes before the Comets took a 27-19 for their largest lead of the half. Olivet had another eight-point lead before Case ended the half with a scoring flurry, including a three-pointer basket at the buzzer, to make the halftime score 39-38 in favor of the Comets.

The Spartans scored the first basket of the second half for its only lead. After holding a 54-52 lead with 9:32 remaining in the game, Olivet went on a 25-7 scoring spurt to take its largest lead of the game, 79-59, at the 1:33 mark.

For the game, both teams' shooting percentages were similar, 41.8 percent (23-of-55) for the Comets to 41.5 percent (22-of-53) for the Spartans. The difference in the game was the shooting at the free throw, where Olivet was 35-of-41 (85.4 percent) and Case was 18-of-23 (78.3 percent). The Comets' five starters combined to shoot a 26-of-26 from the charity stripe. Olivet also committed just four turnovers to 17 for the Spartans.

The Comets were led by senior Michael McClary (Bellaire) who scored 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor and 8-of-8 free throws. Senior Nathan Jennings (Grant) scored 20 points, while senior Andre Evans (Muskegon Heights) poured in 15 points, made four steals and did not have a turnover. Junior Cameron Duncan (Lansing/Waverly) grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Senior Joe Post (Olivet) recorded eight points (8-of-8 free throws), made three steals and dished out three assists.

For Case, Reid Anderson topped all scorers with 29 points. Austin Fowler posted a double-double, 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Olivet will play the host Blue Streaks in tomorrow's championship game at 3 p.m.