Women’s basketball: Comets beat Saint Mary’s, 83-78; clinch berth in MIAA Tournament

OLIVET, Mich. – Seniors Stefanie Lang and Carli Reid both posted a double-double to lead the Olivet College women's basketball team to an 83-78 win over Saint Mary's (Ind.) College this afternoon at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. With the win and also with Hope College defeating Trine (Ind.) University, 68-58, the Comets have clinched the No. 4 seed for the 2015 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament.

Reid led all scorers with 23 points while grabbing 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Lang finished with 14 points and game-high 14 rebounds for her 19th double of the season and 42nd of her career. Junior Shauni Hankins joined them in double figures with 15 points. Junior Morgan West was a spark off the bench in the first half, draining three 3-pointers for nine points.

After an 8-8 tie at the 15:09 mark of the first half, the Comets went on an 8-0 run to double up the Belles, 16-8. After the teams traded baskets for an 18-10 score, Olivet took it largest lead of the game, 27-14, with 6:18 left in the opening half. The Comets took another 13-point lead, 29-16, before Saint Mary's trimmed its deficit down to eight points, 32-24.

Olivet responded with four straight points to go back up by 12. The Belles ended the half with their own 4-0 run to trail by eight points, 36-38, at halftime.

The Comets stretched their lead to 21 points by outscoring Saint Mary's, 17-4, in the first four minutes and 10 seconds of the second stanza to make the score, 53-32. The Belles chipped away at the Olivet lead and drew within five points, 64-59, with six minutes left.

The Comets pushed its advantage back to 12 points, 73-61. Undeterred, Saint Mary's used one final run to cut its deficit to four points, 82-78, with 17 ticks left. Junior Leighann Thilo split a pair of foul shots for the final margin.

Ariana Paul led the Belles with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Maddie Kohler scored 13, while Krista Knapke and Timoney Moyer each contributed 12 points.

With the No. 4 seed, Olivet will travel to play No. 1 seed Calvin College in the MIAA Tournament semifinals on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

NOTES: Before the game, the Comets recognized their three seniors – Lang, Reid and Bre Trudell – who were playing in their final home game at The Cutler Event Center. Lang finished the season as the MIAA scoring champion, averaging 17.9 points in the 16 league contests. She was also first in rebounding (13.1 rpg) and second in blocked shots (37).