Women’s Basketball Team Defeats MIAA Rival Albion College, 68-62

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team ended the 2002-03 regular season today with a 68-62 win against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Albion College at the Upton Center.

The Lady Comets (11-14, 6-8 MIAA) fell behind 15-11 with 10:31 left in the first half. Olivet then went on a 20-5 run to take a 31-20 lead with 1:57 remaining when freshman guard Karine Campbell (Ionia High School) made a layup. The Comets also held a 33-25 lead at halftime.

The Britons opened the second half with a 10-0 run to take a 35-33 lead. Olivet took the lead for good at 42-41 and extended its lead to as many as nine points with 4:37 remaining when senior three-time All-MIAA forward Louisa Grill (Williamston High School) nailed a jump shot.

Freshman center Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/Genesee High School) scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Olivet. Freshman center Courtney Ivan (Belleville High School) added 14 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Emily Fix (Comstock Park High School) and junior guard Molly Lipton (Ann Arbor/Pioneer High School) had 10 points apiece. Grill also had eight rebounds.

"We have been getting better and better each day," said second-year Head Coach Deanna Richard. "This win will hopefully give us some momentum heading into the MIAA Tournament."

Sarah Caskey paced Albion (15-10, 8-6) with 20 points, including 10-of-12 from the free throw line. She also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Jocelyn Zappala chipped in with 12 points.

Olivet will travel to play Kalamazoo College in a first-round game of the MIAA Tournament next Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m.