Women’s basketball team loses to University of Chicago, 66-50, in season-opener

The Olivet College women's basketball team lost 66-50 to University of Chicago this afternoon in its 2009-10 season-opener at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

After a 16-16 tie at the 8:24 mark of the first half, Olivet went on a 7-0 run to take its biggest lead, 23-16. The Maroons outscored the Comets, 12-2, in the final 8:24 to take a 28-25 lead into the locker rooms. Chicago pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 20 points, 58-38, with 5:46 left in the game.

For Olivet, sophomore Olivia Yarrell (Lansing/Sexton) recorded game-high honors in points (14) and rebounds (seven). Junior Kaitlin Oleksyn (Kalamazoo/Parchment) contributed 11 points. In her first collegiate game, freshman Mellissa Bageris (Milford) came off the bench to score 10 points and grab six rebounds.

The Maroons played 17 different players. Meghan Herrick scored a team-leading 13 points, and Jamie Stinson chipped-in with 11. Herrick and Bryanne Halfhill each pulled down six rebounds.

The Comets will travel to play Defiance (Ohio) College Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.