Lady Comet basketball team falls to Calvin, 65-53

The Olivet College women's basketball team fell to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Calvin College, 65-53, this afternoon at the Calvin Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids.

In the first half, there were four ties and eight lead changes. The Lady Comets (8-15, 2-10 MIAA) had three-point leads on four occasions with the last time being, 25-22, with 5:30 left. After that score, the Knights (19-3, 11-1 MIAA) closed the half with a 9-2 run to take a 31-27 lead, their biggest lead of the first 20 minutes.

Olivet battled back in the first 6:26 of the second half to force a 35-35 tie. Over the next 10 minutes, Calvin outscored the Comets, 20-8, and never looked back. The Comets cut the deficit to single digits with 54 seconds left when freshman forward Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier High School) nailed a three-pointer.

Sophomore center Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/Genessee High School) posted a double-double to lead Olivet with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard Emily Fix (New Buffalo/Comstock Park High School) and sophomore center Courtney Ivan (Belleville High School) contributed 10 points apiece.

The Comets will conclude the 2003-04 regular season next week with a pair of home games. On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Comets will take a break from MIAA action to play Tri-State (Ind.) University at 7:30 p.m. Next Saturday, Feb. 21, Olivet hosts Saint Mary's (Ind.) College at 3 p.m.

Kristen McDonald led the Knights with a game-high 22 points. Lisa Winkle added 12 points, a team-high six rebounds and five blocks.