Women’s basketball team ends season with heartbreaking 63-53 loss to Hope in MIAA Tournament semifinals

HOLLAND, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team ended its season with a heartbreaking 63-53 loss to Hope College this evening in the semifinals of the 2016 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament, held at the DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland. The Comets scored the first basket 17 seconds into the game on a three-pointer by senior Dallas Austin. Olivet did not give up the lead until there was two minutes and 48 seconds remaining in the contest.

The Comets built a 12-point lead, 18-6, after the first period. In the opening 10 minutes, Olivet made 7-of-13 baskets (53.8 percent) compared to 1-of-17 shooting (5.9 percent) for the Flying Dutch. Three of the Comets' baskets were from behind the three-point arc, while Hope's only made field goal was a triple. Olivet split its two free throw attempts, while the Flying Dutch were 3-of-4.

In the first three minutes and 17 seconds of the second period, the Comets went on a 6-0 run to gain their largest lead of the game, 25-6. The Flying Dutch outscored Olivet, 12-4, over the final 6:53 of the second quarter to trail by 11 points, 29-18, at halftime. In the opening half, the Comets shot 45.5 percent (10-of-22) from the floor to 14.3 percent (5-of-35) for Hope. Both teams drained three triples, and Olivet was 6-of-8 from the charity stripe to 5-of-6 for the Flying Dutch.

In the third period, the Comets led by as many as 11 points, 40-29, at the 3:13 mark after senior Shauni Hankins made a layup. The Flying Dutch cut their deficit down to six points, 40-34, with a 5-0 run. Senior Bre Kidd hit a jumper in the lane to push Olivet's lead back to eight points, 42-34, at the end of the quarter.

The Comets led by nine points, 48-39, with 5:17 remaining in the contest. Hope answered with an 11-0 run to take its first lead of the game, 50-48, at the 2:48 mark. The Flying Dutch extended their run with four more points to go up 54-48. Senior Jackie Harwood nailed a three-pointer to make the score 54-51. Hope responded with its fourth three-pointer of the period to re-gain a six-point advantage, 57-51. The Flying Dutch were a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line in the final 21 seconds to seal their win.

Olivet finished the game with a 39.2 shooting percentage (20-of-51) to 27.7 percent (18-of-65) for Hope. The Flying Dutch also made three more shots from three-point range, 8-5. The difference in the game was Hope drained 11 more free throws, 19-8.

Hankins finished the game with team-highs in points (17) and rebounds (eight). Harwood came off the bench to score eight, while sophomore Ayren Parrish had seven. Junior Katie McKinnon pulled down seven rebounds.

Maura McAfee, the 2016 MIAA Most Valauble Player, posted a double-double with 28 points and 13 rebounds to lead Hope. Mandy Traversa joined her in double figures with 18 points, including five triples.  

The Comets finish the 2015-16 season with a 13-13 overall record for its fourth straight season with a .500 or better record.