OLIVET, Mich. – The third-ranked Calvin University men's basketball team fought off an upset attempt at The University of Olivet to score a 71-67 win on Saturday.
 
Calvin (14-1, 4-0 MIAA) went back and forth with Olivet (2-13, 0-4 MIAA) throughout the night, but Jordan Scott (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) made a driving left-handed lay-up with just over two seconds remaining in the game to break a 67-67 tie and push the Knights to the win.
 
The Comets pushed the Knights in the opening half, but Jalen Overway (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) scored 16 points on 7-9 shooting from the field to help Calvin take a 32-29 halftime lead.
 
With the other starters struggling to get going offensively in the first half, Scott and Trevin Winkle (McBain, Mich./Northern Michigan Christian) gave the Knights a boost with 13 combined points to keep Calvin in front.
 
Calvin looked to take control of the game near the midway point of the second half with an 8-0 run capped by three-pointers from Uchenna Egekeze (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) and Owen Varnado (Muskegon, Mich./Western Michigan Christian) to give the Knights a 49-43 lead, but Olivet continued to answer the bell and hung within striking distance.
 
After a 7-0 run by the Comets gave them the lead with 2:12 remaining, Varnado put Calvin back in front by one point with a three-pointer with 54 seconds left.
 
On the ensuing possession, the Knights forced a missed field goal, but the Comets grabbed the loose ball rebound and tied the game 67-67 with 18 seconds left at the free throw line.
 
After a Calvin timeout, Scott dribbled his way into the paint for the contested lay-up with his left hand to give the Knights the lead and secure the win.
 
Overway was dominant down low for much of the night, scoring a season-high 31 points for his third career 30-point game. He finished 13-22 from the field and also grabbed eight rebounds.
 
Scott finished with 12 points to tie his career high, while Varnado also finished in double figures with 12 points.
 
COACH'S COMMENT: "Really gritty win on the road," Calvin head men's basketball coach Bill Sall said. "Credit to Olivet and Coach Hargraves. They gave us everything we could handle. Great game by Jalen Overway and some huge shots down the stretch by Owen Varnado and Jordan Scott. We have some things to figure out, but will always take the win."
 
NEXT UP: Calvin returns to action on Wednesday, January 17, when it hosts Hope College for the 211th playing of The Rivalry series. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.