Women's basketball team falls to Hope, 74-60, in MIAA opener

The Olivet College women's basketball team fell to defending Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) champion Hope College, 74-60, tonight in the Hope Subway Shootout at the Dow Center. It was also the MIAA opener for the Lady Comets.

Olivet will play the Savannah College of Art & Design (Ga.) game on Saturday afternoon in the consolation contest at 2:30 p.m. The Bees dropped a 51-49 decision to Wittenberg (Ohio) University in the other game.

After the Flying Dutch took a 9-2 lead at the 17:39 mark of the first half, the Comets went on a 11-3 run over the next two minutes to take a 13-12 lead. Hope battled back and led by seven points with 2:02 left. Senior guard Kim Strange (Ellsworth High School) nailed back-to-back three-pointers to cut the deficit to one point at halftime.

Senior guard Molly Lipton (Ann Arbor/Pioneer High School) made two free throws at the start of the second half for Olivet's first lead since the 15:16 mark of the opening half. Following a 46-46 tie, the Dutch went on a 23-5 run over a span of eight minutes to lead by 18 points with 1:32 left in the contest.

Sophomore center Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/Genessee High School) led Olivet with 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. She was followed by Strange and Lipton with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Following tomorrow's game, the Lady Comets will resume MIAA play on Wednesday, Dec. 10, when they host Kalamazoo College at 7:30 p.m.