Women’s Basketball Team Defeats Kalamazoo, 79-77; Lipton makes three-pointer with six seconds left for the win

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Junior guard Molly Lipton (Ann Arbor/Pioneer High School) made a three-pointer with six seconds left as the Olivet College women's basketball team defeated Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association foe Kalamazoo College, 79-77, today at the Anderson Athletic Center. It is also the third straight win for Olivet.

After a 19-19 tie with 8:23 left in the opening half, the Lady Comets (10-13, 5-7 MIAA) went on a 14-4 run over the next 4:34 to take a 33-23 lead. Olivet also had a 39-35 halftime lead.

In the first four minutes of the second half, the Comets extended their lead to 15 points at 53-38 when senior three-time All-MIAA forward Louisa Grill (Williamston High School) made a jumper. The Hornets battled back and held a seven-point lead with 3:28 left in the game. Olivet fought back to take a 76-75 lead at the 1:36 mark.

Alissa Johnson from Kalamazoo made a jump shot with 14 seconds left to give the Hornets a 77-76 lead. Lipton won the game with her three-pointer on a pass from junior guard Kim Strange (Ellsworth High School).

The Comets outrebounded Kalamazoo, 29-19. They also shot 65.0 percent (26-of-40) from the floor and 10-of-15 from three-point range.

Lipton scored a team-high 14 points, including six-of-seven from the free throw line. Strange had 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Emily Fix (Comstock Park High School) also had 12 points and freshman center Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/Genesee High School) chipped in with 11.

Vanessa Larkin led the Hornets (14-8, 8-4) with 23 points. Amanda Weshuhn and Alissa Johnston added 21 and 12 points, respectively. Weishuhn also had a team-high six rebounds.

Olivet will end the 2002-03 regular season next week with a pair of games. On Wednesday night, the Comets will travel to Holland to play MIAA leader Hope College at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, they will host MIAA rival Albion College at 3 p.m.