Women's basketball team defeated by Alma, 60-56

The Olivet College women's basketball team was defeated by Alma College, 60-56, this afternoon in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest at Cappaert Gym in Alma.

The Comets (12-11, 9-5 MIAA) led by as many as five points on four occasions in the first half. The last time was with 3:49 left when junior Callie Reed (Howell) made a layup. Olivet held a 27-25 lead at halftime.

There were five tied scores and three lead changes in the first 11:24 of the second half. The Scots (12-9, 7-7 MIAA) went ahead by six points, 47-41, with 6:52 left in regulation. The Comets answered with a 10-2 run to take a 51-49 lead. With Alma holding a 58-56 lead in the final seconds of the game, Olivet missed a jump shot.

Junior Jen O'Neil (Auburn Hills/Avondale) scored a game-high 18 points on six-of-11 shooting from the floor and two-of-two from the free throw line. Junior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.

Ashley Matuzak and Darcie Philp each posted a double-double to lead the Scots. Matuzak had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Philp tallied 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Olivet concludes the 2005-06 regular season next week. On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Comets host Calvin College at 6 p.m. and on Saturday, Feb. 18, they travel to play Kalamazoo College at 3 p.m.