Women's basketball team defeated by Calvin, 74-55

The women's basketball team scored 55 points for the third straight game but it was not enough as the Lady Comets were defeated by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Calvin College, 74-55, today at the Calvin Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids.

Olivet (7-8, 2-5 MIAA) raced out to a 12-6 lead at the 12:33 mark of the first half when junior guard Kari Searles (Marshall) made two free throws. Calvin (12-2, 6-1 MIAA) responded with a 6-0 run to tie the score and eventually take the lead for good. The Knights' biggest lead of the half was nine points with 6:05 left. They also led 38-32 at intermission.

Calvin extended their lead out to 22 points with just under 10 minutes left in the contest. Olivet cut the deficit down to 13 points, 62-49, at the 5:34 mark.

Searles led three Comets in double figures with 18 points. Sophomore Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) was next with 17 and senior Emily Fix (New Buffalo/Comstock Park) had 12 points. Sophomore Cassie Monette (Holt) grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Freshman Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) had three assists and three steals.

Leading the way for the Knights was Lisa Winkle, who had a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds. Kristen McDonald, Lesa Holleman and Rita Uowinga had 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Comets will return home to face Tri-State (Ind.) University Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 7:30 p.m.