Women's basketball team falls to Madonna, 77-68

The Olivet College women's basketball team fell to Madonna University, 77-68, tonight inside The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

After the Comets trailed by five points, 13-8, at the 14:19 mark of the first, they went on a 11-0 run over the next four minutes to take a six-point lead, 19-13. The Crusaders came back to force 21-21 and 25-25 ties. Olivet's last lead of the first half, 26-25, came with 4:39 left before halftime. Madonna led by six points, 36-30, at the break.

The Crusaders lead was never more than six points for the first seven minutes of the second half with the last time being 49-43. The Comets took their first lead of the half, 57-56, with 9:18 left in the game. There was six tied scores and two lead changes until Madonna took the lead for good at 68-66. The Crusaders made 6-of-6 free throws in the final 40 seconds to stretch their lead to nine points.

For the Comets, freshman Olivia Yarrell (Lansing/Sexton) was a spark off the bench. She scored a game-high 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds and made three steals in 22 minutes. Senior Emily Brown (Muskegon/Mona Shores) added 14 points, while junior Gabrielle Federau (Okemos) posted her fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Caitlin Thilo (Onondaga/Eaton Rapids) also contributed 10 points.

For Madonna, Erin Bentley scored a team-high 18 points. She was joined in double figures by Tabatha Wydryck with 16 points. Kim Olech pulled down 13 rebounds.

Olivet resumes Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play Monday, Dec. 22, when it welcomes Adrian College to The Cutler Event Center for a 7 p.m. game.