Women’s Basketball: Olivet comes from behind to beat Kalamazoo, 64-58

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The University of Olivet women's basketball team overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to beat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Kalamazoo College, 64-58, this afternoon at the Anderson Athletic Center.

• Final Score: Olivet 64, Kalamazoo 58
• Location: Anderson Athletic Center; Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 2-5 overall, 1-2 MIAA; Kalamazoo 0-7 overall, 0-3 MIAA

• The Hornets raced out to a nine-point lead, 11-2, in the first three minutes and 50 seconds of the game. The Comets chipped away at their deficit to trail by only four points, 19-15, at the end of the opening quarter.
• Olivet closed the gap to a single point, 23-22, at the 4:38 mark of the second quarter. Kalamazoo scored 10 of the next 13 points to push its lead back to eight points, 33-25, with 2:08 left until halftime. The Comets netted the last five points of the half to make the score, 33-30, at halftime.
• In the third quarter, the Hornets extended their lead to as many as nine points, 43-34. Olivet battled back with an 11-5 spurt to be down only three points, 48-45, at the finish of the third stanza.
• The Comets scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to take their first lead in the game, 49-48, since the 8:53 mark of the first quarter. The Hornets tied the game before a jumper by senior Julia Decker put Olivet ahead for good, 51-49. The Comets led by six points, 62-56, after freshman Kaylee Bush drained a pair of free throws. After Kalamazoo made a basket, senior Madison Bailey sealed Olivet's comeback with two free throws with 4.5 seconds left.

• For the game, the Comets shot a 37.1 field goal percentage compared to 38.2 for the Hornets. The difference in the game was Olivet committed 12 less turnovers, 17 to 29.
• Freshman Christina Malackanich scored a team-high 13 points.
• Bush chipped in 12 points.
• Decker and senior Lily Connelly each added nine points.
• Connelly had seven assists to go along with five rebounds and five steals.
• Freshman Ellie Baynes grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds.

• Olivet goes on the road next Wednesday, December 13, to play the College of Wooster (Ohio). Tip-off at Timken Gymnasium is 6 p.m.