Women’s Basketball: Olivet falls to Alma, 65-51, in MIAA-opener

OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet women's basketball team began Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with a 65-51 loss to Alma College tonight at the Cutler Event Center.

• Final Score: Alma 65, Olivet 51
• Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 1-4 overall, 0-1 MIAA; Alma 5-3 overall, 1-0 MIAA

• The first quarter saw the Scots take a five-point lead, 7-2. The Comets fought back to close the gap to a single point twice at 7-6 and 9-8. Alma extended its lead to eight points, 19-11, at the end of the opening quarter.
• The Scots pushed their advantage to double digits, 25-15, at the 5:23 mark of the second quarter. Olivet outscored Alma 11-3 to trail by just two points, 28-26, at halftime.
• In the third quarter, the Scots built a 20-point lead, 55-35. A free throw for the Comets made the score 55-36 to start the fourth quarter. Olivet chipped away at its deficit and were down only eight points, 59-51, with 3:32 remaining in the game. Alma scored the final six points of the game for the 14-point margin of victory.

• Senior Madison Bailey came off the bench to score 12 points, including a perfect 4-of-4 from behind the arc.
• Sophomore Kinsley Hatfield also scored 12 points.
• Senior Lily Connelly added 11 points to go along with four rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
• Junior Clara Shoales contributed six points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

• Olivet continues conference play Saturday at Hope College. Tip-off from the DeVos Fieldhouse is 3 p.m.