Lady Comets defeat Davenport, 73-65, in championship game of Comet Classic

The Olivet College women's basketball team overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat Davenport University, 73-65, this afternoon in the championship game of the 2003 Comet Classic at the Upton Center. Olivet sophomore center Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/Genessee High School) was named MVP of the tournament. Junior guard Emily Fix (New Buffalo/Comstock Park High School) joined her on the all-tournament team.

After a 13-13 tie with 12:57 remaining in the first half, the Panthers went on a 17-6 run over the next eight minutes to take a 30-19 lead. The Lady Comets (2-2) battled back and cut the deficit to six points with just under a minute left on a pair of free throws by Johnston. Davenport regained an 11-point lead with a three-pointer and layup in the last 40 seconds of the opening half.

Olivet opened the second half with a 13-2 run in the first five minutes to tie the game at 40-40. Both teams traded baskets over the next seven minutes. Following a 51-51 tie, the Comets put together a 14-3 run to take their biggest lead with 2:55 remaining on a jump shot by Fix. Olivet then sealed the victory by making eight-of-11 free throws in the last 2:55 of the contest.

Johnston led the Comets with a career-high 28 points on 13-of-15 shooting from the floor. She also grabbed 10 rebounds. Fix also reached double figures with 16 points and dished out five assists. Senior guard Molly Lipton (Ann Arbor/Pioneer High School) contributed 10 points. Senior guard Kim Strange (Ellsworth High School) also had five assists.

Olivet is now idle until next Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6, when it participates in the Hope College Subway Shootout. On Friday evening, the Lady Comets will play the host Lady Dutch in their Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener at 6 p.m.