Women’s basketball team rallies to beat Alma, 72-58

ALMA, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team rallied from eight-point deficit in the first half to beat Alma College, 72-58, this evening at the Art Smith Arena in Alma. With the win, the Comets improve their record to 9-5, including a 5-2 mark against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association schools.

Olivet led 2-0 and 3-2 before the Scots came back to tie the game at 3-3 and 4-4. Alma then took the lead and stretched it to eight points, 28-20, with 3:32 left before halftime. Olivet closed the half with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 28-28 at the break.

There were five lead changes in the first four minutes, 18 seconds of the second half. After the Comets took the lead 38-37, they did not relinquish it for the rest of the game. Olivet led by 17 points twice, with the last time being 65-48, at the 2:18 mark. The Scots cut their deficit down to nine points, 67-58, before the Comets scored the final five points of the game.

For the game, the Comets 52.1 percent (25-of-48) from the floor, including a sizzling 62.5 percent (15-of-24) in the second half, while Alma shot only 30.8 percent (20-of-65). Olivet out-rebounded the Scots, 50-30.

For the Comets, senior Sydney Radde (Stevensville/Lakeshore) posted her first double-double, 19 points and 14 rebounds, of the season. Junior Kelsey Campbell (Olivet) also scored 19 points. Sophomore Stefanie Lang (Valparaiso, Ind.) came off the bench to score 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Junior Chelsea Ciba (Olivet) dished out a team-high five assists.

For Alma, Mallory Pruett and Grace Wheeler scored 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Olivet hosts Albion College Saturday in the first game of a women's-men's basketball doubleheader at 1 p.m. The Olivet men will play Adrian College after the women's game at approximately 3 p.m.