Women’s basketball team opens MIAA play with 68-66 win at Tri-State (Ind.)

The Olivet College women's basketball team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play tonight with a 68-66 win at Tri-State (Ind.) University. Junior Deidre Deering (Cass City) scored the game-winning basket with 26 seconds left.

The game was back and forth for the first eight minutes, 49 seconds, with neither team leading by more than three. Following a 20-20 tie, the Comets used a 9-2 run to take a 29-22 lead. Olivet extended its lead to nine points on two occasions and held on for a 38-33 advantage at halftime.

In the second half, the Comets built a 10-point lead, 51-41, at the 13:50 mark. The Thunder battled back and led 61-60 with 7:30 remaining. Deering's game-winner was a 12-foot baseline jumper. Tri-State's last possession resulted in a turnover when junior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) stripped the ball from a player at the top of the key.

Graham tallied 17 points, 7 rebounds and four assists for Olivet. Junior Jen O'Neil (Avondale) posted a double-double, 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Shanna Hoogenboom played all 40 minutes for the Thunder, scoring 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Kamilla Ruffer and Emily Vedder contributed 17 and 10 points, respectively.

The Comets return to the court Saturday, Dec. 3, when they travel for a non-conference game at Andrews University at 7 p.m.