Women's basketball team falls to Albion, 75-66, in overtime

The Olivet College women's basketball team was defeated by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College, 75-66, in overtime this afternoon at Kresge Gymnasium in Albion. With 9.3 seconds left in regulation, senior Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) made the second of two free throws to force the extra session. In overtime, the Britons outscored the Comets, 12-3, to pull out the victory.

In the first half, Olivet built an 11-point lead on three occasions with the last time being, 33-22, at the 1:57 mark. The Comets held a 34-27 lead at halftime. With 9:07 left, the score was tied at 45-45. For the rest of regulation, team led by more than two points and there were four additional tied scores. In overtime, Albion scored the first basket and never trailed. The Comets' three points came courtesy of three free throws by senior Jaime Kowalczyk (Wyandotte/Roosevelt).

The Comets were led by freshman Ameina Ross (Lansing/Everett), who had 18 points off the bench. Freshman Caitlin Thilo (Onondaga/Eaton Rapids) also came off the bench to score a career-high 16 points on six-of-nine shooting from the floor, including four three-pointers. Brackenwagen finished with 11 points and dished out six assists, which gives her 298 in her career. Sophomore Gabrielle Federau (Okemos) grabbed a team-leading 10 rebounds.

For the Britons, Emi Guimond led all scorers with 24 points. Megan Garvey and Kati Till contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively. Katie Elder shared game-high honors with 10 rebounds, as Albion out-rebounded Olivet, 46-36.

The Comets next play Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Tri-State (Ind.) University. Tip-off from Hershey Hall is 7:30 p.m.