Men’s and women’s basketball teams lose exhibition contests to NCAA DII opponents
In their final tune-ups before their seasons officially begin, the Olivet College men’s and women’s basketball teams lost exhibition contests to NCAA Division II opponents. Last Friday, Nov. 9, the men fell to Hillsdale College, 92-62, at the Jesse Phillips Arena in Hillsdale. Tonight, Nov. 12, the women were defeated by Grand Valley State University, 68-50, inside the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale.
OLIVET, Mich. – In their final tune-ups before their seasons officially begin, the Olivet College men’s and women’s basketball teams lost exhibition contests to NCAA Division II opponents. Last Friday, Nov. 9, the men fell to Hillsdale College, 92-62, at the Jesse Phillips Arena in Hillsdale. Tonight, Nov. 12, the women were defeated by Grand Valley State University, 68-50, inside the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale.
In the men’s game, the Chargers led from start-to-finish, with the +13 margin at halftime being their largest lead of the first 20 minutes. Hilldale built its lead to as many as 33 points on several occasions in the second half.
Senior Garner Small (Schoolcraft) was the only Olivet player in double figures with 11 points. Senior Dakotah Ellis (Birch Run) contributed eight points. Off the bench, freshman T.J. Vondette (Hemlock) pulled down a team-leading five rebounds.
The Comets will officially open their season Friday night when they travel to play Central Michigan University at 7 p.m.
In the women’s game, Olivet led by four points, 17-13, with 7:30 left in the first half. The Lakers then went on an 8-0 to regain the lead, and they did not relinquish it for the rest of the game. GV led by six points, 27-21, at the break and stretched its lead to as many 22 points with 1:52 left in the game.
Junior Kelsey Campbell (Olivet) and senior Sydney Radde (Stevensville/Lakeshore) each scored 13 points to lead the Comets. Senior SoQuitta DeShazor (Flint/Hamady) joined them in double figures in 12 points. DeShazor and junior Heather Lauwers (Ortonville/Brandon) grabbed six rebounds apiece, as Olivet out-rebounded the Lakers, 34-32. Junior Chelsea Ciba (Olivet) had a solid overall game with four points, four rebounds, three assists and six steals.
The Comets will officially kickoff their season this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17-18, at the North Central (Ill.) College Tournament. On Friday, Olivet will play the host Cardinals at 5 p.m. CT/6 p.m. ET, and on Saturday, the Comets will play St. Mary’s (Minn.) College at noon CT/ 1 p.m. ET.