Women’s basketball team comes up short against Saint Mary’s, 59-55

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team came up just short against Saint Mary's (Ind.) College, 59-55, this afternoon at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

In the first half, neither team was able to take a two-possession lead until the 7:29 mark when Saint Mary's led by five, 18-13. Sophomore Rachael Wagner (Clinton Twp./Fraser) hit a 3-pointer to make the score 18-16. The Belles then went on a 15-3 run to take their largest lead of the half, 33-19. Olivet scored the last four points of the half to trail by 10, 33-23, at the break.

Saint Mary's built a 17-point lead, 49-32, with 9:50 left in the game. Olivet came all the way back and trailed by only three points, 57-54, with 13 seconds remaining. Sophomore Heather Lauwers (Ortonville/Brandon) stole the inbounds pass, but was then called for an offensive foul. Saint Mary's made the ensuing foul shots to push their lead back to five points, 59-54. The Comets made a free throw in the final seconds of the game to create the final margin.

For the game, Olivet made 23 baskets to 18 for the Belles. Each team made one 3-pointer. The difference was Saint Mary's went 22-of-30 from the foul line, while the Comets were only 8-of-14. Olivet was also whistled for 10 more fouls, 25-15, and had three players foul of the game.

Junior Sydney Radde (Stevensville/Lakeshore) scored 15 points to lead the Comets. Junior Brittany Brown (Inkster/John Glenn) joined her in double figures with 10 points. Sophomore Heather Lauwers (Ortonville/Brandon) grabbed a team-leading eight rebounds.

For the Belles, Saint Mary's led all scorers with 29 points, including 14-of-17 shooting from the charity stripe. Jessica Centa was a rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds. Kelley Murphy was a point shy of her own double-double with a game-high 14 rebounds and nine points.

Olivet travels to play Hope College next Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m.