Mack tip-in with 2.6 seconds left helps men’s basketball team escape with 65-64 win at Albion

ALBION, Mich. -- Junior Eric Mack (Eastpointe/Roseville) grabbed an offensive rebound and made a tip-in basket with a 2.6 seconds left, as the Olivet College men's basketball team overcame a nine-point deficit in the second half to beat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College, 65-64, tonight at Kresge Gymnasium in Albion.

In the beginning stages of the game, Olivet led by as many as three points twice, with the last time being 12-9 at the 11:44 mark. Albion then drained back-to-back shots from behind the arc to take its own three-point lead. The Comets tied the game with their own three-pointer to knot the score at 15-15. The Britons countered with five straight points to take their largest lead of the half, 20-15, with 5:59 left before the break. Olivet battled back and made it a one-point game on three occasions, including 25-24 at halftime.

In the second half, Albion appeared to take control of the game by taking a pair of nine-point leads. The last time was 44-35 with 12:57 remaining in the game. The Comets chipped away at their deficit and forced a 49-49 tie. Olivet then went up by five points, 57-52, at the 3:55 mark. The Britons answered with a 7-0 run to regain the lead, 59-57.

Junior Jaren Edsall (Whitehall) was fouled on a three-point attempt and made all three free throws to put the Comets back up by one point, 60-59. J.C. Cruse gave the lead, 62-60, back to Albion after making a layup and free throw. Edsall then hit a three-pointer with 28 seconds left for a 63-62 Olivet lead. With 10 seconds left, Chris Hutton scored the go-ahead basket for the Britons.

Each team then called a timeout. The Comets missed a basket with four seconds left, but Mack was there for the rebound and lay in the winning basket. Albion called another timeout, but its last second desperation shot was off the mark.

For Olivet, senior Michael McClary (Bellaire) led all players with 18 points and 11 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season and 47th of his career. Edsall finished with 16 points, including 5-for-5 shooting from the charity stripe. Senior Joe Post (Olivet) joined them in double figures with 11 points and recorded a game-high seven assists.

For Albion, Hutton scored a team-leading 15 points. Cruse and Alex Harville contributed 12 points apiece.

The Comets will continue their busy week Wednesday when they travel to play Adrian College at 7:30 p.m. They end the week Saturday by hosting Calvin College at 3 p.m.