Women’s Basketball Team Defeats Adrian College, 66-62

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team defeated Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association foe Adrian College, 66-62, today at the Upton Center.

In the first half, the Lady Comets (8-13, 3-7 MIAA) led by as many as eight points when junior forward Lauren Kandlstorfer (Marcellus High School) made a jumper with 3:34 left. After a 32-32 tie at the 16:18 mark of the second half, Olivet then went on a 14-7 run to take a 46-39 lead.

The Bulldogs then battled back to take a 51-50 lead. Junior guard Kim Strange (Ellsworth High School) made a three-pointer to give the Comets a five-point lead at 58-53 with 4:53 remaining. In the closing seconds of the game, Adrian missed several opportunities to cut the Olivet lead or tie the game.

The Comets outrebounded Adrian, 50-26. Olivet also shot 43.9 percent from the floor, including 50% from three-point range.

Both freshman center Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/ Genesee High School) and senior three-time All-MIAA forward Louisa Grill (Williamston High School) had a double-double to lead Olivet. Johnston scored 14 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, including six off the offensive glass. Grill had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Strange scored a team-high 17 points, including four-of-five from behind the arc. Junior guard Molly Lipton (Ann Arbor/Pioneer High School) contributed 10 points and six assists.

"We had a total team effort today," said second-year Head Coach Deanna Richard. "The biggest thing about this game was that we had several players who stepped up, whether it was offensively or defensively. This win gives us a lot of confidence going into Wednesday's game at Alma, who we beat earlier this year."

Sarah Vincke and Allison Keebaugh led the Bulldogs (11-10, 4-6) with 15 points apiece. Lisa Butts and Katie Bouckaert each scored 12 points.

Olivet will next be in action when it travels to play Alma College on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.