Women’s basketball team downs Carthage, 58-52

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team overcame a sluggish start and a 12-point deficit in the second quarter to beat Carthage (Wis.) College, 58-52, today at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

Neither team found their shooting stroke in the first quarter, as it ended in an 8-8 tie. In the opening quarter, Olivet made just 2-of-14 baskets and four three throws compared to 3-of-12 shooting from the field and two free throws for Carthage.

The Lady Reds opened the second period with a 14-2 run for their 12-point lead, 22-10, at the 4:48 mark. Over the next three minutes, Olivet scored 12 of the next 13 points to trail by only one point, 23-22.

Carthage made a free throw and three-pointer to push its lead back to five points, 27-22. Senior Shauni Hankins made a layup at the halftime buzzer to make the score 27-24. In the second quarter, both teams were 6-of-13 from the floor and drained four free throws. The difference was three of the Lady Reds' baskets were behind the three-point arc.

Olivet took its first lead of the game, 30-29, at the 7:13 mark of the third quarter. After the Lady Reds tied the game, senior Bre Kidd put the Comets ahead 32-30 with a jump shot. Carthage then went on an 11-0 run for a 41-32 lead. Olivet responded with seven consecutive points to cut its deficit down to two points, 41-39. A late free throw for the Lady Reds gave them a 42-39 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Comets scored four of the first five points of the final quarter to take a 45-43 lead. Olivet did not surrender the lead for the rest of the game. After Carthage closed to within two points, 51-49, sophomore Ayren Parrish made the Comets' first three-pointer of the game with 57.2 seconds left. Off a Lady Red turnover, Hankins scored a layup to make the score 56-49. Parrish sealed the win by making two free throws with 9.4 ticks remaining.

In the fourth quarter, Olivet shot 50 percent (8-of-16) from the floor to go along with two free throws. The Comets' defense forced Carthage into making only two baskets, both from three-point land, and four free throws.

Overall, Olivet had a slightly higher shooting percentage, 38.6 percent, compared to 32.7 percent for the Lady Reds. Carthage drained five more three-pointers than the Comets (6 to 1) and made one free throw (14 to 13). The Lady Reds had a small advantage in rebounding, 38 to 36, but turned the ball over five more times, 20 to 15.

Parrish came off the bench to score a team-high 13 points. Hankins finished with 10 points. Junior Gabby Trudell and junior T'Keyia Collins each scored nine points. Senior Dallas Austin grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds, while Kidd had six points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Erin Thomas scored 13 points to lead Carthage. Megan Vukovich contributed 12 points. Morgan Harris recorded a double-double, 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Olivet hosts Lawrence Technological Institute Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m.