ANDERSON, Ind. – The Olivet College men's basketball team fell to Anderson (Ind.) University, 83-72, tonight at the O.C. Lewis Gymnasium in Anderson, Ind. The Ravens entered the game ranked No. 14 in the preseason D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.

Both teams traded baskets in the early stages of the game before Anderson pulled away for a pair of 12-point leads with the last time being 28-16 at the 10:18 mark. The Comets battled back to trim their deficit down to three points, 39-36, with 2:18 left in the half when junior Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) drained a 3-pointer. The Ravens answered by scoring the last seven points of the half to take a 46-36 lead into the locker rooms.

In the second half, Olivet closed to within six points, 49-43, on a tip-in basket by senior Michael McClary (Bellaire). Anderson came back with a 11-5 run to stretch its lead back to double figures, where it would stay until the 3:02 mark when McClary canned a free throw to complete a three-point play and make the score 76-67. The Ravens outscored the Comets, 7-5, in the final three minutes for the hard fought victory.

For the game, Olivet shot 43.9 percent (25-of-57) from the floor, while Anderson was a little better at 47.4 percent (27-of-57). From the free throw line, the Comets were 14-of-18 (77.8 percent) and the Ravens were 21-of-30 (70 percent). Olivet did out-rebound Anderson, 38-30.

McClary narrowly missed a double-double with a team-leading 16 points and nine rebounds. Junior Cameron Duncan (Lansing/Waverly) contributed 14 points, while seniors Nathan Jennings (Grant) and Andre Evans (Muskegon Heights) had 13 and 12 points, respectively. Senior Joe Post (Olivet) dished out five assists.

Anderson placed four starters in double figures, led by Brock Morrison's game-high 18 points. He also pulled down 11 rebounds. Andrew Bowman had 15 points, while Jarrin Forte and Gabe Miller had 14 points each.

Olivet will travel to University Heights, Ohio, this weekend to participate in the John Carroll University/John Steadman Classic. On Saturday at 5 p.m., the Comets will play Case Western (Ohio) University. The consolation and championship games are Sunday afternoon at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.