Women's basketball team defeats Alma, 79-69

The Olivet College women's basketball team defeated Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Alma College, 79-69, tonight on Senior Night at the Upton Center in Olivet. With the win, the Comets snapped a five-game losing streak.

In the first 11 minutes, 36 seconds of the game, there were six tied scores and five lead changes. Olivet (9-14, 7-8 MIAA) took the lead for good when junior Emily Brown (Muskegon/Mona Shores) made the second of two free throws. The Comets' largest lead of the first 20 minutes was nine points, 33-24, after junior Sarah Mangold (Sterling Heights/Bishop Foley) knocked down a three-pointer with 41 seconds left before halftime.

In the second half, Olivet stretched its lead to double digits and led by as many as 12 points, 57-45, with 8:52 remaining in the contest. After the Scots (9-13, 6-9 MIAA) closed to within two points at the 4:50 mark, the Comets scored eight straight points to push their lead back to double figures.

Olivet was led by senior Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge), who scored 13 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out six assists and made two steals in 36 minutes. Off the bench, Brown and freshman Ameina Ross (Lansing/Everett) contributed 11 points each. Sophomore Gabrielle Federau (Okemos) and senior Jaime Kowalczyk (Wyandotte/Roosevelt) scored eight points a piece. Federau grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, while Kowalczyk had eight.

Meagan Hoblet had a game-high 21 points to lead Alma. She also had a team-high seven rebounds.

The Comets will end their regular season schedule Saturday when they travel to play Saint Mary's College. Tip-off at the Angela Athletic Center is set for 3 p.m. With a win, Olivet will secure the No. 4 seed in next week's MIAA Tournament.