Balanced scoring attack leads women’s basketball team to 76-61 win over Albion

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack to beat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Albion College, 76-61, today at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. With the win, Olivet moves back into third-place in the MIAA standings with a 7-4 record.

Senior Bre Kidd led the Comets with a 17 points on 5-of-7 field goals and 7-of-9 free throws. Junior T'Keyia Collins and senior Jackie Harwood came off the bench to score 13 and 10 points, respectively. Senior Shauni Hankins added 11 points. Junior Katie McKinnon and senior Morgan West each scored six points.

In the first quarter, the Britons were down three points, 12-9, with 1:29 left. The Comets scored the final eight points of the period, including six on back-to-back three-pointers by Harwood, to take their first double digit lead of the game, 20-9. Olivet extended its lead to 15 points, 28-13, midway through the second quarter. Albion fought back and trailed by eight points, 38-30, at halftime.

In the first half, the Comets shot 53.1 percent (17-of-32) from the floor and 2-of-5 free throws. The Britons made just eight baskets but stayed in the game by virtue of making 12-of-13 baskets from the charity stripe.

Albion put the first four points on the scoreboard in the third quarter to make the score 38-34. Olivet answered with a 6-0 run to go back up by double digits, 44-34. The Britons would score the next four points but they would not get any closer for the rest of the game. The Comets led by 12 points, 53-41, to start the fourth quarter. The 15-point margin of victory tied for Olivet's largest lead of the game.

Darian Payne paced Albion with a game-high 22 points and nine rebounds. Emily Zgoda finished with 12 points.

The Comets play at Kalamazoo College next Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m.