Women’s Basketball: Olivet loses to Washington & Jefferson, 72-57

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The University of Olivet women's basketball team came up short against Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) College, 72-57, in the consolation game of the 2023 Smokey Ballenger Classic today at the Rike Center. The Presidents were receiving votes in the most recent D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.

• Final Score: Washington & Jefferson 72, Olivet 57
• Location: Rike Center; Westerville, Ohio
• Records: Olivet 5-8 overall, Washington & Jefferson 10-2 overall

• In the first quarter, the Presidents seized an eight-point lead, 13-5, at the 3:29 mark. Junior Clara Shoales made a layup and three free throws to close the gap to three points. W&J pushed its lead back to 10 points twice. After the second time at 22-12, Olivet scored the final five points of the period on a three-pointer by senior Lily Connelly and layup by senior Madison Bailey to trim their deficit in half to start the second quarter.
• The Presidents extended its advantage to 12 points, 31-19, with 8:05 remaining in the second period. The Comets used a 9-0 spurt to make it a three-point game. W&J ended the quarter on a 7-3 run for a 38-31 lead at halftime.
• The Presidents scored the first nine points of the third quarter to gain a 47-31 lead. Olivet fought back with a 19-8 run to decrease its shortfall to five points, 55-50, at the 1:54 mark. During the run, Bailey and freshman Savannah Brewer each made two three-pointers. W&J put five of the last seven points on the scoreboard to take an eight-point lead, 60-52, into the beginning of the fourth quarter.
• In the fourth period, the Presidents' advantage grew to double digits, 68-55. The Comets were never able to get their deficit under 10 points for the rest of the game.

• Brewer led Olivet with 11 points, including three baskets from behind the arc.
• Senior Julia Decker joined her in double figures with 10 points.
• Bailey and Shoales scored eight points apiece.
• Sophomore Kinsley Hatfield and freshman Christina Malackanich each grabbed five rebounds.
• Connelly was named to the All-Tournament team.

• Olivet resumes Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play next Wednesday, January 3, when it travels to play Albion College. Tip-off from Kresge Gymnasium is 7 p.m.