Kowalczyk and Smith have double-doubles for the Lady Comets

The women's basketball team defeated non-league foe Marygrove College, 81-45, tonight in its home opener at the Upton Center in Olivet. Freshman Jaime Kowalczyk (Wyandotte-Roosevelt) posted her first collegiate double-double with 16 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Lady Comets (2-1).

Olivet jumped out to 24-7 lead in the first 7:27 of the contest. The Comets' 21-point lead, 42-21, at halftime was their biggest lead of the first half. In the second half, Olivet led by as many as 39 points with seconds left when freshman Angel Zehender (Grosse Ile/Allen Park Cabrini) nailed a jumper.

In the game, the Comets outrebounded the Mustangs, 58-28, including a 29-10 advantage off the offensive glass. Olivet also made 10 three-pointers to just two by Marygrove (2-3)

Ten different Comets scored at least two points. Sophomore forward Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden-Frontier) also had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Kari Searles (Marshall) contributed nine points, and junior Gina Willard (Kent City) came off the bench to score eight points

Tiffany Burt topped the Mustangs with 14 points. Amanda DeGain added 11 points and six rebounds.

Olivet is next in action Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 27-28, when it hosts the 2004 Comet Classic. Saturday's games feature Alma College versus Northwood University at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Lady Comets versus Concordia University. Sunday's action starts at 1 p.m. with Alma playing Concordia, followed by Olivet against Northwood.