Women’s basketball team loses to Hope, 82-60

In a battle for first-place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), the Hope College women's basketball team prevailed over Olivet College, 82-60, tonight at the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland. Hope (13-1) remains tied with Calvin College with a 6-0 record, while the Comets (9-6) slip one game behind with a 5-1 mark.

Following an 8-8 tie, the Flying Dutch went on a 12-2 run to push their lead to double figures, 20-10. The Comets climbed back to within eight points, 26-18, with a little over five minutes left in the opening half.

Hope ended the first half with a 16-3 run to take a 42-21 lead at intermission. The closest that Olivet would get in the second half was 19 points on two occasions. The last time was 58-39 with 11:21 remaining in regulation.

Junior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) posted a game-high 18 points for the Comets. Sophomore Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) was next with 13, followed by junior Jen O'Neil (Auburn Hills/Avondale) with 10. Graham and O'Neil grabbed six rebounds each.

Julie Henderson topped the Flying Dutch with 13 points. Jordyn Boles, Bria Ebels and Ellen Wood chipped in with 10 points apiece. Linda Ebels was the leading rebounder with nine.

Olivet is back in action Saturday, Jan. 14, when it hosts Alma College at 3 p.m.