Women’s basketball team falls to Kean (N.J.), 81-60, in championship game of Elizabeth Courtyard Cougar Classic

The Olivet College women's basketball team fell to Kean (N.J.) University, 81-60, this afternoon in the championship game of the Elizabeth Courtyard Cougar Classic at Harwood Arena in Union, N.J. For their efforts, juniors Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) and Jen O'Neil (Avondale) were selected to the all-tournament team.

The Comets (1-1) led by two points, 14-12, at the 15:37 mark of the first half. The Cougars answered with a basket to tie the game and then went on a 20-6 run to take a 34-20 lead. Kean extended its lead to 20 points, 50-30, at halftime. The closest that Olivet would get in the second half was 16 points.

Graham topped the Comets with a game-high 23 points on nine-of-16 shooting from the floor. She grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists in 37 minutes. O'Neil joined Graham in double figures with 11 points. Sophomore Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) and junior Courtney Ivan (Belleville) grabbed four rebounds apiece.

Kean (2-0) placed all five starters in double figures, led by Chari' Cooper and Ebony Jackson with 17 points each. Cooper also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

Olivet is back in action Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26, when it hosts the annual Comet Classic. Friday's first round games are the Comets versus Alverno (Wisc.) College at 5:30 p.m., followed by Aquinas College versus Rochester College. Saturday's consolation and championship games are at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.