Women’s basketball: Comets lose OT heartbreaker to Redlands, 68-63

REDLANDS, Calif. – The Olivet College women's basketball team lost a 68-63 overtime heartbreaker to University of Redlands tonight in the second game of the Redlands Tip-Off Classic and played inside Currier Gym in Redlands, Calif. The Comets will play Chapman (Calif.) University tomorrow night at 6 p.m. ET.

With 14:25 left in the first half, Olivet had its biggest lead, 12-6, after sophomore Gabby Trudell made a jump shot. Redlands fought back and forced a 16-16 tie with five minutes remaining in the opening half. The Bulldogs scored eight of the final 10 points of the half to take a 24-18 lead into the locker rooms.

Redlands stretched its lead to eight points, 30-22, early in the second half. Olivet battled back with a 12-0 run to gain a 34-30 lead around the midpoint of the half. The Bulldogs responded with a 9-0 scoring spurt over the next two minutes to go up 39-34.

Undeterred, the Comets came back to take a 44-42 lead at the 5:42 mark. The teams traded baskets until Olivet went ahead 52-48 with 2:05 left in regulation after freshman Ayren Parrish made a three-pointer. The Bulldogs sent the game to overtime when Nicole Packard drained a free throw to complete an old-fashioned three-point play for a 52-52 deadlock.

Neither team led by more than two points in the first three minutes of the extra period. Olivet held a 61-59 lead with 2:04 remaining. Both teams missed shots and committed turnovers over the next minute and half. With 27 ticks left, Caitlin Ciardella nailed a three-point to put Redlands ahead 62-61.

After calling a timeout, the Comets turned the ball over. Forced to foul, the Bulldogs made two free throws for a 64-61 lead. Redlands elected to foul to prevent a game-tying three-pointer, and junior Shauni Hankins drained two free throws for a 64-63 score.

Olivet committed another foul and the Bulldogs added two more free throws to go back up three points, 66-63. The Comets called a timeout but made another turnover, resulting in another foul and two Redland free throws for the final points of the game.

Senior Stefanie Lang scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds for her second double-double of the season and 25th of her career. Hankins added 15 points.

Four Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Kameran Dage's 14 markers. Kaity Lykins pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds.

After tomorrow's game, Olivet is off until Monday, Dec. 1, when it opens Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play with a 7:30 p.m. game at Albion College.