Women's basketball team falls to Alma, 71-68

Junior Kari Searles (Marshall) came off the bench to score a career-high 22 points but it was not enough as the women's basketball team fell to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Alma College, 71-68, today at the Upton Center in Olivet.

The Lady Comets (7-13, 2-10 MIAA) led for a brief moment in the first half after sophomore Stephanie Smith (Camden/Waldron Frontier) made a three-pointer to make the score 6-3. The Scots (9-9, 4-8 MIAA) tied the score on a Randi Lounds' three-pointer. Alma went on to lead by as many as nine points, 21-12, with just under nine minutes left before halftime. Olivet cut its deficit to one point on four occasions, including 33-32 with 15 seconds remaining. The Scots led 36-32 at halftime.

Olivet took a 50-49 lead at the 11:58 mark of the second half when junior Gina Willard (Casnovia/Kent City) hit a three-pointer. The teams exchanged baskets over the next two minutes. After a 56-56 tie, Alma put together a quick 12-6 run to take a 68-62 lead with four minutes left. The Comets stormed back with a 6-0 run to tie the score. Darcie Phlip scored what proved to be winning basket with 55 ticks remaining on the clock.

Joining Searles in double figures were Smith with 17 points and senior Emily Fix (New Buffalo/Comstock Park) with 12 points. Fix's 12 points give her 907 career points, which is seventh all-time at Olivet. Searles also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

Leading the way for the Scots was Ashley Borcherding, who scored 20 points on a perfect eight-of-eight shooting from the floor. Katey Peacock was next with 13 points and Lounds chipped in 10. Michelle Dettling pulled down a team-best eight rebounds.

Olivet remains home for its two games next week. On Wednesday, Feb. 9, the Comets host Albion College at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday, Feb. 12, they host Calvin College at 5 p.m.