UOlivet downed by Alma, 68-53
January 3, 2026
OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet women's basketball team came up short against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Alma College, 68-53, this afternoon at the Cutler Event Center.
THE BASICS
- Final Score: Alma 68, Olivet 53
- Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
- Records: Olivet 2-10 overall, 0-4 MIAA; Alma 6-6 overall, 2-1 MIAA
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Comets made their first three shots of the game for a 7-0 lead. After missing their first eight shots, the Scots made two free throws and two baskets to level the score at 7-7 with 4:47 left in the opening quarter. Olivet split two free throws before Alma connected on two shots to take an 11-8 lead at the 2:51 mark. Freshman Madelyn Burdis scored five straight points to put Olivet ahead 15-13 at the end of the first period.
- The Scots used two free throws to tie the game. The teams traded points, and the Comets held a 20-19 lead with 7:35 left until halftime. Alma then went on a 15-2 run over the next four minutes to gain a 12-point lead, 34-22. The Scots led one more time by 12 points before Olivet scored the final six points of the quarter to trim its deficit down to six points, 38-32, at halftime.
- The Comets scored the first three points of the third quarter to trail by only three, 38-35. Alma responded with 10 straight points over a span of two minutes to push its lead to 13 points. Olivet was able to close the gap to 10 points on three occasions, including 54-44, to start the final quarter.
- Four Comet points made the score 54-48 at the 8:33 mark of the fourth stanza. The Scots used an old-fashioned three-point play to push their advantage back to 11 points. Freshman Ava Lord swished a three-pointer as the shot clock buzzer went off to make the score 59-51. Alma scored nine of the final 11 points to post the 15-point win.
FOR THE COMETS
- Lord scored a team-high 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting.
- Senior Kinsley Hatfield contributed 12 points.
- Burdis finished with nine points and nine rebounds.
- Freshman Reese Gohsman also had nine rebounds to go along with six assists.
UP NEXT
- The Comets play their next five games on the road, beginning next Wednesday, January 7 at Saint Mary's (Ind.) College. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. from the Angela Athletic Center in South Bend, Indiana.
SISTER, SISTER! Today's game featured @UOlivetWBB's Kinsley Hatfield battling against younger sister, Taelynn from @AlmaScots on the Comets' home court for the final time. Swipe to see the post-game photos of the sisters and parents. #GoCOMETS | #UONation | #d3hoops | #whyd3 pic.twitter.com/4wAt0qqkmH
— The University of Olivet Athletics (@OlivetAthletics) January 3, 2026
