Comets reach century mark for first time in school history

The Olivet College women's basketball team shot 55.3 percent from the floor en route to a 102-72 victory over non-conference foe Tri-State (Ind.) University tonight at the Upton Center in Olivet. The Lady Comets (9-15) passed the 100 point plateau for the first time in school history. The previous high was 99 points against Madonna in 1990.

In the game, Olivet made 42-of-76 shots from the floor, including 22-of-36 (61.1%) in the first half. The Thunder (3-22) connected on 23-of-70 (32.9%) shots. The Comets also out-rebounded Tri-State, 51-33, with a 35-18 advantage off the defensive glass.

The Thunder scored the first two points of the game, but senior guard Kim Strange (Ellsworth High School) tied the game and senior guard Molly Lipton (Ann Arbor/Pioneer High School) made a layup for a 4-2 Olivet lead, which the Comets did not relinquish for the remainder of the game. Olivet had its biggest lead of the first half, 54-24, at halftime.

Junior guard Emily Fix (New Buffalo/Comstock Park High School) made a layup at the 14:56 mark of the second half for the Comets' largest lead, 67-35. The Thunder closed to within 16 points, 76-60, at the 10:09 mark. Olivet outscored Tri-State, 26-12, in the final 10:09 for the victory. Freshman guard Kristin Dickinson (Cadillac High School) scored the 100th point with 43 seconds left.

The Comets placed five players in double figures, and every player except for one scored at least two points. Leading the way for Olivet was junior forward Jamie Hutchison (Freeland High School) with a career-high 18 points on seven-of-nine shooting from the floor, including four-of-six from three-point range. Junior Essence Porter (Battle Creek/Central High School) also had a career-high night with 17 points.

Freshman forward Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier High School) chipped in with 15 points and Strange and Lipton added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore center Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/Genessee High School) grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds. Strange topped the team with eight assists.

The Comets will end the 2003-04 regular season on Saturday, Feb. 21, when it hosts Saint Mary's (Ind.) College at 3 p.m. The game is part of a women's/men's basketball doubleheader as the Fighting Comets will play Adrian College at 7:30 p.m.

Four Tri-State players reached double figures led by Nikki Bergman with 13 points and Kayla Cheesman with 12. Erin Long and Emily Vedder contributed 10 points apiece.