Women’s basketball team loses to Trine 53-51 in MIAA- opener

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play today with a tough 53-51 loss to Trine (Ind.) University today at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

After a 2-2 tie to start the game, the Comets went on a 15-4 run to take their first double digit lead of the game. Olivet extended its lead to as many as 12 points, 23-11, with 1:48 left in the opening half. The Comets took a 25-17 lead into the locker rooms at halftime.

In the second half, Olivet continued to lead until then 8:46 mark when Sicily Boyce made a free throw to complete a 3-point play and give the Thunder their first lead of the game, 37-35. The teams traded baskets and free throws until the score was knotted at 41-41 with 5:38 left in the game.

Trine then scored five straight points for its largest lead. The Comets got as close as one point, 50-49, on a 3-pointer by sophomore Kelsey Campbell (Olivet). After the Thunder split a pair of free throws with 59.2 seconds left, Olivet was down two and had the ball with a chance to tie the game. The Comets failed to score on their trip down the court.

For the game, Olivet shot 35.5 percent (22-of-62) from the floor to 41.3 percent (19-of-46) for the Thunder. The Comets made one more 3-pointe. The difference in the game was the free throw line where Olivet made four shots, and Trine made 13. The Comets out-rebounded the Thunder, 41-29, including a 17-5 edge in on the offensive glass.

Junior SoQuitta DeShazor (Flint/Hamady) recorded a double-double, 16 points and game-high 10 rebounds, to lead Olivet. Campbell scored nine and had five assists. Junior Sydney Radde (Stevensville/Lakeshore) finished with eight points.

Megan Loveberry scored 17 points to lead Trine. Danielle Senf joined her in double figures with 16 points.

The Comets (1-5, 0-1 MIAA) will travel to play Kalamazoo College next Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m.