Women’s basketball team loses to Lawrence Tech, 59-48

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team fell to Lawrence Technological Institute, 59-48, this afternoon at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

In the first half, the Blue Devils led 9-4 until Olivet scored five straight points to tie the game, 9-9, at the 3:02 mark. LTU responded with a mini 4-0 run to go back up 13-9. Senior Shauni Hankins drained a three-pointer to make the score 13-12 before a layup by Hail Butler put the Blue Devils up 15-12 after the first 10 minutes of action.

The Comets scored the first five points of the second quarter, capped by a free throw to complete a three-point play by junior Gabby Trudell, to take their first lead of the game, 17-15. After LTU took a 19-17 lead, Olivet used another 5-0 run – a three-pointer by senior Jackie Harwood and two free throws by Hankins – to gain its largest lead of the game, 22-19.

The Blue Devils scored back-to-back baskets to re-gain the lead, and they did not relinquish it for the rest of the quarter. Their biggest lead of the opening half of play was the eight-point margin, 33-25, at the break.

Neither team did much offensively in the third quarter, as LTU out-scored the Comets by only one point, 7-6, to take a 40-31 lead into the final quarter. Olivet fought back in the fourth quarter and were only down by six points twice, with the last time being 49-43 after junior Katie McKinnon made a layup with 4:43 left. The Comets were never able to draw any closer for the rest of the contest.

For the game, the Blue Devils shot 39.6 percent (21-of-53) from the floor and 64 percent (16-of-25) from the free throw line. Olivet made 17-of-52 field goals (32.7 percent) and 10-of-23 free throws (43.5 percent). The Comets committed 17 turnovers, while LTU had 24 miscues.

Hankins provided a team-leading 11 points to go along with three assists and two steals. Senior Bre Kidd contributed nine points, three assists and three steals. McKinnon and senior Leighann Thilo each finished with seven points. Senior Dallas Austin and sophomore Ayren Parrish shared team-high honors with five rebounds apiece.

Jazmine Brown recorded a double-double, 14 points and 12 rebounds, to lead the Blue Devils. Hali Butler had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Olivet will play its final game of the 2015 calendar year next Wednesday, Dec. 30, when it makes the trip to play North Park (Ill.) University at 4 p.m. EST/3 p.m. CST.