Women's basketball team loses to Ohio Northern, 63-61

The women's basketball team opened its 2004-05 season with a 63-61 loss tonight against Ohio Northern University at the Anderson University Tip-off Tournament. The Lady Comets will play Anderson game in consolation game tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Early in the first half, Olivet led by as many as six points at 16-10. The Polar Bears used a 13-3 run to take a 23-19 lead with 8:23 left before halftime. The Comets took a three-point lead, 31-28, at halftime when senior Emily Fix (New Buffalo/Comstock Park) made two free throws with 40 seconds left.

ONU scored the first five points of the second half to take a 33-31 lead and extended its lead to seven points, 45-38. The Comets knotted the score at 48-48 with 5:49 left. The Bears stretched their lead back to six points before Olivet cut it to one point, including with 15 seconds remaining on a layup by senior Essence Porter (Battle Creek/Central). Olivet had a chance to force overtime but a jumper fell short at the buzzer.

Leading the way for Olivet was Fix with a game-high 15 points and six rebounds. Junior Kari Searles (Marshall) chipped in with 14 points, and freshman Jaime Kowalczyk (Wyandotte-Roosevelt) contributed 10 points on five-of-eight shooting from the floor. Freshman Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) also grabbed six rebounds, scored six points, dished out five assists and made five steals.

Following tomorrow's game, the Comets will face non-conference foe Marygrove College Tuesday, Nov. 23, in their home opener at 7:30 p.m.