Women’s basketball team rallies to beat Adrian, 65-57

The Olivet College women's basketball team rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to beat Adrian College, 65-57, in its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) opener this afternoon at the Upton Center in Olivet.

In the first half, the Bulldogs (2-5, 1-2 MIAA) led by as many as 12 points, 28-16, with just under three minutes left before halftime. At halftime, Adrian had an 11-point lead, 33-22. The Comets (2-5, 1-0 MIAA) opened the second half with a 14-3 run to tie the game at 36-36.

Olivet took its first lead since early in the first half, 46-41, on back-to-back three-pointers by junior Vallen VanZyll (Lowell). The Bulldogs came back with an 11-5 scoring spurt to take a 52-51 lead. The next time down the court, the Comets took the lead for good, 53-52, after senior Jaime Kowalczyk (Wyandotte/Roosevelt) knocked down two free throws. In the final 3:05, Olivet made seven-of-eight free throws to seal its win.

For the game, the Comets shot 40.4 percent from the floor, including 44.4 percent in the second half. They also connected on 18-of-22 free throws and out-rebounded the Bulldogs, 44-30. Adrian made 18-of-58 baskets, including just 3-of-26 in the second half.

Olivet was led by Kowalczyk, who scored a season-high 17 points. Off the bench, VanZyll finished with 16 points, including four three-pointers. Senior Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) added seven points along with a team-leading five assists. Sophomore Gabrielle Federau (Okemos) was a spark off the bench, grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds.

Ashley McClarren was the lone Bulldog in double figures with 13 points. She and Kim Olech had seven rebounds a piece.

The Comets will take next week off for fall semester exams and be back in action next Saturday, Dec. 15, when they host Kalamazoo College at 3 p.m. Immediately following the women's game, the Olivet men's basketball team will play a non-conference game against Anderson (Ind.) University.