Women’s basketball team drops 62-42 decision to Trine

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team dropped a 62-42 decision to Trine (Ind.) University tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. With the loss, the Comets slip into a tie for fourth-place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association standings.

The entire first quarter was back and forth. Olivet led by three points 13-10 on a three-pointer by senior Dallas Austin. Alivia Recker answered for the Thunder with a three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game for the fifth time, 13-13. The Comets scored the first four points of the second period to gain a 17-13 lead.

After Trine cut its deficit to two points, Olivet netted five of the next seven points to take a five-point lead, 22-17. The Comets would maintain that five-point cushion at halftime, leading by a 28-23 score.

The Thunder opened the third period on a 7-2 run to tie the game at 30-30. The teams traded baskets to make another tied score at 32-32. Trine then ended the quarter on a 12-3 run to go up by nine points, 44-35. In the fourth quarter, the Comets scored only seven points compared to 18 for the Thunder.

For the game, seniors Shauni Hankins and Bre Kidd each scored 10 points to lead Olivet. Senior Dallas Austin pulled down a team-best six rebounds.

For the Thunder, Hailey Martin was the only player in double figures with a game-high 17 points. Cassidy Williams had a team-high seven rebounds.

The Comets host Adrian College Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. Both teams will enter the game with identical 8-7 league records, with the winner receiving the fourth seed in the 2016 MIAA Tournament.