Women’s basketball team loses heartbreaker to Bluffton, 62-59

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Bluffton (Ohio) University, 62-59, this afternoon insid eThe Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

Final Score: Bluffton (Ohio) 62, Olivet 59
Location: The Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
Records: Bluffton 2-0 overall, Olivet 1-1 overall

• In the first quarter, there were three lead changes and one tied score. The Beavers split two free throws with 1:40 left in the opening quarter to take an 11-10 lead into the second quarter.
• Bluffton made the first basket of the second period. The Comets responded with a 7-0 run for a 17-13 lead at the 5:45 mark. The Beavers countered with a 10-0 run over the next three and one-half minute to gain their largest advantage of the game, 23-17. Olivet trailed by just three points, 24-21, at halftime.
• In the second half, Bluffton stretched its lead to seven points, 30-23. The Comets scored the next seven points to even the score. The teams traded baskets and free throws to create four more tied scores. The Beavers went ahead 40-39 before Olivet scored the last five points of the quarter to go ahead 44-40 entering the fourth stanza.
• The Comets extended their lead to as many as nine points on two occasions in the fourth quarter. After the last time at 51-42 with 6:49 left in the game, the Beavers chipped away at their deficit. Bluffton did not take the lead until there was 8.1 seconds remaining. Olivet had the ball in the front court but turned the ball over. The Beavers made two free throws to seal their win.

• Olivet made five more baskets and shot a higher field goal percentage than Bluffton at 24 and 41.4 percent to 19 and 32.2 percent. The difference in the game was the Beavers made 18-of-21 free throws compared to 7-of-9 for the Comets.
• Junior DeeDee Post led all players with 20 points and 12 rebounds. She made 10-of-11 baskets for her 20 points. The 90.9 field goal percentage ranks No. 1 in school history for a single-game when a player makes 10 or more baskets.
• Junior Fayth Talbert joined her in double figures with 12 points. She also had four blocked shots.
• Senior Tammy Lee grabbed 10 rebounds.

• Sammy Shardo scored a team-best 17 points.
• Brianna Gillig and Nora Hemminger each contributed 12 points.
• Gillig grabbed a team-best nine rebounds.
• TJ Mills dished out seven assists and turned the ball over only one time.

• Olivet is back in action next Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23, at the North Park (Ill.) University Thanksgiving Tournament. The Comets face Elmhurst (Ill.) College Friday night at 5 p.m. ET, and the host Vikings Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET.