Women's basketball team loses to Hope, 72-53, in first round of MIAA Tournament

The sixth-seeded Olivet College women's basketball team ended its season tonight with a 72-53 loss against second-seeded Hope College in the first round of the 2004 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament.

The Lady Comets (10-16) held an 11-6 lead at the 12:40 mark when sophomore center Courtney Ivan (Belleville High School) made a free throw to complete a three-point play. Over the next three minutes, the Flying Dutch fought back and forced a 13-13 tie. After the tie, Hope (23-3) went on a 15-5 run for its biggest lead of the half, 28-18. Olivet trailed, 35-27, at halftime. The Dutch extended their lead to 25 points on two occasions in the second stanza.

Sophomore center Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/Genessee High School) led the Comets with 11 points and five rebounds. Freshman forward Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier High School) came off the bench to score 10 points in 12 minutes of action.

Kelly Taylor paced three Hope players in double figures with 13 markers. Adelynn Vilmann and Linda Ebels added 12 and 10 points, respectively. Ebels grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.