Women's basketball team loses to Alma, 60-53

The Olivet College women's basketball team fell to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Alma College, 60-53, this afternoon at Cappaert Gymnasium in Alma. With the loss, the Comets' four-game winning streak was snapped.

In the first half, the Scots built a seven-point lead, 18-11, at the 9:04 mark. Olivet answered with an 8-0 run to take a one-point lead, 19-18. Alma grabbed the lead right back and went up by five points twice in the final six minutes of the half. The Comets trailed by just one point at halftime, 30-29.

All but the first minute of the second half belonged to the Scots, as they were able to take a pair of 11-point leads. The last time was 54-43 with just over five minutes left in the game. Olivet trimmed its deficit down to four points, 57-53, at the 1:40 mark. Alma secured the win by making three free throws in the final 1:40.

For Olivet, senior Jaime Kowalczyk (Wyandotte/Roosevelt) scored a team-leading 13 points. She also had two blocks, two assists, five rebounds and did not commit a turnover in 28 minutes of action. Sophomore Nykole Pfaff (Goodrich/Powers Catholic) joined her in double figures with 12 points, while sophomore Gabrielle Federau (Okemos) had a team-high eight rebounds.

Ashley Matuzak led the Scots with a double-double, posting a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. Meagan Hoblet and Heather Keenan had 13 and 10 points, respectively.

The Comets will play their next five games at home, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 6, when Albion College visits the Upton Center for a 7:30 p.m. contest.