Women’s Basketball: Shoales’ basket helps Olivet rally past Bluffton, 64-63, in season-opener

BLUFFTON, Ohio – Junior Clara Shoales made a layup with eight seconds left to help The University of Olivet women's basketball team overcome an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter and beat Bluffton (Ohio) University, 64-63, in its season-opener tonight at the Sommer Center.

• Final Score: Olivet 64, Bluffton 63
• Location: Sommer Center; Bluffton, Ohio
• Records: Olivet 1-0 overall, Bluffton 0-2 overall

• The Beavers started the game by scoring the first 11 points. The Comets answered with five straight points to cut their deficit down to six points at the 3:44 mark of the opening quarter. The teams traded free throws to create another six-point margin, 13-7. Bluffton scored six of the final eight points of the quarter to lead by 10 points, 19-9, at the start of the second quarter.
• Olivet chipped away at its deficit and eventually leveled the score at 23-23 when Shoales drained a three-pointer with 5:54 left in the second period. Two minutes and nine seconds later, the Comets took their first lead of the game, 25-23, after freshman Savannah Brewer made a jump shot. The Beavers ended the quarter on an 8-2 run to take a 31-27 lead into the locker rooms at halftime.
• Bluffton pushed its advantage to 12 points, 43-31, in the first four minutes and 11 seconds of the third quarter. Olivet closed the gap to eight points, 45-37. The Beavers responded with five straight points for a 50-37 lead. After exchanging two-point baskets, senior Madison Bailey drained a three-pointer to make the score 52-42 to begin the fourth stanza.
• The Comets fought back to make it a three-point game, 57-54, with 4:30 left in the game. Bluffton extended its lead back to seven points before back-to-back Olivet baskets made the score 61-58. The Beavers committed a turnover on their next possession. Shoales canned two free throws to make the score 61-60 with 1:06 remaining. After Bluffton missed a layup, sophomore Kinsley Hatfield grabbed the defensive rebound. She then made a layup after receiving a pass from senior Lily Connelly to put the Comets ahead with 39 seconds showing on the clock.
• The Beavers grabbed the lead back on two made free throws with 18.1 ticks left. Olivet called a timeout so it could inbound the ball in the front court. The Comets missed a three-pointer, but Shoales pulled down the offensive rebound before making the go-ahead basket with eight seconds remaining. Bluffton used a timeout, but Olivet played great defense and did not even let the Beavers make a final shot attempt.

• Hatfield was the lone Olivet player to score in double figures, as she had 16 points.
• Bailey drained 3-of-4 shots from behind the arc for nine points.
• Shoales added nine points.
• Connelly dished out a game-high 10 assists.
• Freshman Kaylee Bush grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds.

• Olivet hosts Concordia University-Chicago (Ill.) next Tuesday, November 14, for its home-opener inside the Cutler Event Center, starting at 6 p.m.

The winning basket!