Women's basketball team loses heartbreaker to Calvin, 71-69

The Olivet College women's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Calvin College, 71-69, Saturday afternoon at the Upton Center in Olivet. Marcia Harris' layup with 4.4 seconds left in the game gave the Knights the victory.

In the first half, Calvin built a five-point lead on three occasions with the last time being 30-25 with 2:41 left before the break. Junior Emily Brown (Muskegon/Mona Shores) scored five straight points for Olivet to force a 30-all tie at halftime.

The Comets opened the second half with a 16-8 run to take an eight-point lead. The Knights battled back to tie the game at 50-50 and eventually took a 59-52 lead with six minutes. Undaunted, Olivet scored 14 of the next 18 points for a 66-63 lead. Calvin made two straight layups to grab the lead back, and it did not relinquish the lead.

Senior Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) scored 16 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out six assists and made three steals to lead the Comets. Junior Lauren Fishwick (Trenton) chipped in with 12 points. Sophomore Gabrielle Federau (Okemos) had a game-high 11 rebounds. Olivet finished the game with 50 rebounds, including 20 off the offensive glass.

Harris scored a game-high 25 points for the Knights. Brook VanEck joined her in double figures with 12 points. Harris and VanEck each had six rebounds

Olivet will wrap-up its regular season schedule next week, beginning Wednesday night when it hosts Alma College at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Comets will travel to play Saint Mary's (Ind.) College at 3 p.m.