Women's basketball team beats Saint Mary’s (Ind.) College, 79-69, in MIAA-opener

The Olivet College women's basketball team opened its 2004-05 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) schedule with a come from behind 79-69 win over Saint Mary's (Ind.) College this afternoon at the Upton Center in Olivet. With the victory, the Lady Comets (5-1, 1-0 MIAA) have won five straight games.

In the first half, the Belles (3-4, 1-1 MIAA) built an 11-point lead on four occasions with the last one being 39-28 at the 2:11 mark. Olivet scored eight of the last 10 points of the first half and the first six points of the second half to take its first lead of the game at 42-41. Saint Mary's answered with a 12-5 run to take a six point lead with 13:53 lead.

The Comets scored the next six points to tie the game, 53-53. Following three more ties, the Belles took their last lead with 4:37 left. In the final 4:37 of the contest, Olivet outscored Saint Mary's, 15-4, including a 6-0 edge at the free throw line.

For the game, five Olivet players scored in double digits Senior Emily Fix (New Buffalo/Comstock Park) led the way with a game-high 20 points, followed by junior Kari Searles (Marshall) with 17 points. In her first collegiate start, freshman Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) had 13 points, including a perfect eight-of-eight from the charity stripe. She also grabbed a team-high six rebounds and dished out six assists in 38 minutes of action. Senior Essence Porter (Battle Creek/Central) and sophomore Cassie Monette (Holt) came off the bench and tallied 10 points apiece.

Emily Creachbaum led the Belles with 18 points. Maureen Bush joined her in double figures with 12 points. Creachbaum and Bush shared team-high honors with five rebounds each.

Olivet is next in action Wednesday, Dec. 8, when it hosts Hope College at 7:30 p.m.