Women’s basketball team opens MIAA play with 61-48 win over Saint Mary’s

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team erased a 12-point deficit in the second quarter to beat Saint Mary's (Ind.) College, 61-48, in its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) opener this evening at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

In the first quarter, the Belles led by as many as five points, 11-6, at the 2:51 mark. Olivet went on a 6-0 run to take a 12-11 lead with 1:03 left in the opening quarter. Maddie Kohler drained a three-pointer to put Saint Mary's ahead, 14-12, after one period of play.

The Belles scored the first 10 points of the second quarter for their 12-point cushion, 24-12, with 4:45 remaining. Senior Leighann Thilo nailed a three-pointer to make the score 24-15 before a free throw by Kelsey Trimble for Saint Mary's made the score 25-15.

The Comets then put the next 10 points on the scoreboard to tie the game at 25-25 at the 1:50 mark of the second period. Krista Knapke split a pair of tosses at the free throw line to put the Belles back on top, 26-25. Senior Shauni Hankins answered with a layup to give the lead back to Olivet, 27-26.

Two free throws by Thilo pushed the Comets' lead to three points, 29-26. Saint Mary's got an offensive rebound and put-back basket as the first-half clock expired to trail by only one, 29-28, at the break.

The Belles were able to take a pair of three-point leads in the third quarter, with the last time being 36-33 at the 5:25 mark. From there, Olivet out-scored them, 13-0, to end the quarter for an eight-point advantage, 44-36.

The Comets never looked back in the final quarter. Olivet's biggest lead was 18 points following a layup by junior Gabby Trudell which made the score 59-41.

For the game, the Comets made 23-of-62 baskets, including seven three-pointers, and eight free throws for their 61 points. The Belles made 17-of-52 baskets, with only one three-pointers, and 13 free throws for their 48 points. One difference in the game was Olivet's bench outscored the Saint Mary's bench, 27-8, including 18-0 in the second half.

Hankins finished the game with a game-high 20 points and four steals. Seniors Jackie Harwood and Bre Kidd each scored nine points. Harwood's nine points came on three shots from behind the arc. Senior Dallas Austin shared game-best honors with 10 rebounds. She also blocked two shots and dished out three assists.

For Saint Mary's, Knapke and Sarah Macius scored a team-leading 13 points apiece. Knapke also grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Comets continue conference play Saturday at home against Hope College. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.

NOTES: The 20 points for Hankins was one point shy of tying of her career-high in a Comet uniform. She scored 21 points on Dec. 6, 2014, against Kalamazoo. Austin reached double figures in rebounds for the first time this season. She currently tops the team at 5.7 rebounds per game.