OLIVET, Mich. -- Notre Dame kept their unblemished record intact Friday, defeating Olivet (Mich.), 79-70, in the first round of the Gary Morrison Tip-Off. The Falcons shot a blistering 58.3 percent (28-for-48) from the field and 90.9 percent (20-for-22) from the line in running their season record to 4-0.
Senior forward Dan Jones (Niles, Ohio) scored a career-high 24 points to lead Notre Dame, who now advances to the invitational's championship game, which is slated for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Jones was 7-of-9 from the field and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. The 6-foot-3 forward also led the squad with six assists on the night.
Notre Dame led 39-36 at halftime and then sealed the deal by shooting 61.9 percent (13-for-21) in the second half to close out the Comets by the final nine-point margin.
For the game, Olivet (1-1) had 72 field goal attempts to Notre Dame's 48; the Comets built that advantage with a 40-27 edge in rebounding. Olivet hauled down 25 offensive boards. They shot just 37.5 percent (27-for-72) for the game.
Brothers Brandon (Sr./Bellaire, Mich.) and Michael McClary (So./Bellaire, Mich.) each had 14 points to lead the OC offense. Michael McClary had a game-high 14 boards. Sophomore guard Andre Evans (Muskegon, Mich.) added 12 points and a game-high nine assists.
For Notre Dame, freshman forward Eric Dummermuth (Dover, Ohio) scored 21 points on the strength of 9-of-15 shooting. That's a season-high for Dummermuth, playing in just his fourth collegiate game. The Dover High School product also grabbed seven rebounds. Junior center Karim McFarlane (Portmore, Jamaica) chipped in 15 points. The Falcons' starting pivot man also added five assists.
“This was a solid team effort for us tonight,” said head coach Kevin Bille. “That kind of effort is what wins games. Our guys are playing for each other and coming together as a team.”
Notre Dame's hot shooting Saturday is part of a larger trend. The Falcons have now shot over 50 percent in three straight games. In those three contests, the Blue & White are 88-for-157 (56.1 percent) from the field and 58-for-70 (82.9 percent) from the foul line.
NDC's four-game winning streak to start a season sets a new program record.
The Falcons will play Concordia (Mich.) in Saturday's tournament championship game; the contest will feature LiveStats via the Olivet Athletics website, http://www.olivetcollege.edu/athletics/livestats.php.
NEWS FROM THE NEST…
THAT STATE UP NORTH: Notre Dame had been 0-3 all-time in the state of Michigan before Friday's win over Olivet. … With Friday's result, both Eric Dummermuth and Dan Jones are both shooting over 63 percent from the floor over the Falcons last three games.
MEET THE COMETS: Olivet College is located in south central Michigan, 30 miles south of Lansing and 125 miles west of Detroit. The College was founded in 1844 and has an enrollment of 1,145. Olivet sponsors 18 intercollegiate athletic teams and is an NCAA Division III program. The Comets compete in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). … Friday's Falcons-Comets game marked the debut of a new facility for the Olivet College squad. Olivet is now playing its home games in a new $5.1 million multi-purpose facility called the Cutler Event Center. Amenities to be used by the basketball team include an all-maple playing surface, portable baskets, scoreboard and shot clocks, locker room and fitness center. … Friday's meeting was the first-ever between Olivet and Notre Dame in Men's Basketball.
