Women's basketball team loses to Albion, 64-48

The Olivet College women's basketball team dropped a 64-48 decision to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College this evening at the Upton Center in Olivet.

The Britons (21-2, 13-1 MIAA), who are ranked 17th in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, raced out to a 10-1 lead at the 14:46 mark of the first half. The Lady Comets (7-14, 2-11 MIAA) used a 6-2 run over the next four minutes, five seconds to trim their deficit to five points. Albion responded and took a 32-17 lead into the locker rooms.

Olivet closed to within six points with an 11-2 run to start the second half. The Britons then extended their lead to 17 points on two occasions.

Sophomore Stephanie Smith (Camden/Waldron Frontier) scored 14 points to lead the Comets. She was supported in double digits by junior Kari Searles (Marshall) with 10 points. Junior Gina Willard (Casnovia/Kent City) grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Albion was led by Sarah Caskey, who made four-of-seven field goals and 13-of-15 free throws for a game-high 22 points. Ruth Sventickas had 16 points and Liz Marcuz had a game-high nine rebounds.

Olivet will host Calvin College Saturday, Feb. 12, in the second game of a men's/women's basketball doubleheader. The men's team tips off against Hope College at 3 p.m., followed by the women's game at approximately 5 p.m.