Women’s basketball team falls to Saint Mary’s, 53-49

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Olivet College women's basketball team fell to Saint Mary's (Ind.) College, 53-49, in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest this afternoon at the Angela Athletic Center in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Final Score: Saint Mary's 53, Olivet 49
Location: Angela Athletic Center; Notre Dame, Ind.
Records: Saint Mary's 9-11 overall, 6-5 MIAA; Olivet 6-14 overall, 2-9 MIAA

• The Belles built a seven-point lead, 9-2, at the 6:05 mark of the opening quarter. The Comets scored the final nine points of the quarter to take an 11-9 lead.
• Saint Mary's battled back in the second quarter to level the score at 17-17 with 2:03 left. Senior Shawnee Dame put Olivet ahead with a three-pointer. The Belles netted the last six points of the quarter to take a 23-20 lead at halftime.
• In the third period, Saint Mary's stretched its advantage to five points twice. After the last time at 27-22, the Comets went on a 7-2 run to tie the game at the 4:21 mark. Neither team led by more than one possession for the rest of the quarter, as the Belles took a 35-33 lead into the start of the fourth period.
• Saint Mary's opened the final period on a 7-0 run to take a 42-33 lead. Olivet countered with a 7-2 run to cut its deficit down to four points, 44-40. Five straight points for the Belles pushed their lead back to nine points. The Comets ended the game on a 9-4 scoring spurt for the final five-point margin of defeat.

• Dame posted team-highs in points (14) and rebounds (nine).
• Sophomore Daitriona Bonds made her first collegiate start and scored nine points.
• Junior Amari Brown also had nine points.

• Giavanna Paradiso led all scorers with 17 points.
• Jade Mosier notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
• Erin Maloney also grabbed 10 rebounds.

• The Comets face Trine (Ind.) University next Wednesday, Jan. 30. Tip-off at the MTI Center in Angola is 7:30 p.m.