Women’s Basketball: Olivet drops 54-47 game at Otterbein

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The University of Olivet women's basketball team lost 54-47 to Otterbein (Ohio) University in the opening game of the Smokey Ballenger Classic this afternoon at the Rike Center.

• Final Score: Otterbein 54, Olivet 47
• Location: Rike Center; Westerville, Ohio
• Records: Olivet 5-7 overall, Otterbein 4-6 overall

• The Cardinals built a seven-point lead, 13-6, in the final minute of the opening quarter. The Comets scored the last four points of the quarter to trail by three, 13-10, at the start of the second period.
• In the second quarter, the Cardinals stretched their lead to five points on three occasions. After the third time at 19-14, the Comets scored six straight points to take a 20-19 lead at the 3:18 mark. Otterbein answered with a 5-0 run over the next minute of clock time to make the score 24-20. Neither team scored any points in the final two minutes and 14 seconds of the quarter for the 24-20 halftime score.
• The Cardinals maintained their advantage during the second half, as they stretched their lead to as many as 13 points, 42-29, with 7:44 left in the game. Olivet scored nine of the next 11 points to close the gap to six points, 44-38, at the 2:15 mark. In the final seconds of the game, the Comets trimmed their deficit down to five points, 52-47.
• Olivet posted a 33.3 field goal percentage compared to 22.2 percent for the Cardinals. The difference in the game was Otterbein committed 13 less turnovers, 13 to 26.

• Senior Lily Connelly led Olivet with 10 points.
• Freshman Ellie Baynes and senior Julia Decker each grabbed a team-leading six rebounds.

• The Comets will play either Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) College in the consolation game tomorrow afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. Washington & Jefferson fell to Denison (Ohio) University, 63-60, in the other first round game.