Women's basketball team loses to Saint Mary's, 74-66

The Olivet College women's basketball fell to Saint Mary's (Ind.) College, 74-66, tonight in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) game at the Upton Center in Olivet.

Following a 4-4 tie, the Comets (12-8, 8-3 MIAA) went on a 10-1 run to take their largest lead of the half, 14-5, with 15:28 left. The Belles (10-11, 8-4 MIAA) fought back to force two more ties, and the last one was 22-22 with just over eight minutes remaining. Over the next five minutes, Saint Mary's went on a 12-point run to take a 34-22 lead. Olivet answered with a pair of three-pointers, but the Belles countered with three layups for a 40-28 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Saint Mary's led by as many as 21 points, 60-39, with 8:29 left in the game. The Comets were able to cut their deficit to six points twice in the final minute.

Junior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) led Olivet with 20 points. Junior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) contributed 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

For the Belles, Alison Kessler scored a game-high 28 points as she made five-of-11 field goals and 15-of-18 free throws. Erin Newsom and Shelly Bender added 16 and 12 points, respectively. Bender also collected a team-high 11 rebounds.

The Comets are back in Saturday, Feb. 4, when they play at Adrian College at 3 p.m.