Women's basketball team defeated by Tri-State, 100-89

The women's basketball team was defeated by Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Tri-State (Ind.) University, 100-89, this evening at Hershey Hall in Angola.

The Lady Comets (7-16, 2-13 MIAA) held a 15-11 lead at the 13:55 mark of the first half. The Thunder (10-15, 7-9 MIAA) battled back, tied the game and took the lead for good on a three-pointer by Mindy Tilford. The closest that Olivet would get for the remainder of the half was two points, 22-20, with 9:28 left. Tri-State led 49-30 at halftime.

In the second half, the Thunder extended their lead to as many as 25 points twice. The Comets cut their deficit to nine points in the closing 30 seconds of the contest.

Junior Kari Searles (Marshall) came off the bench and scored a career-high 23 points for Olivet. She was joined in double digits by sophomore Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) with 13, senior Emily Fix (New Buffalo/Comstock Park) with 12 and sophomore Cassie Monette (Holt) with 10. Freshman Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, including 11 off the defensive glass.

Shanna Hoogenboom, Brittaney Miller and Kelly Stechschulte had 14 points apiece for Tri-State. Kelly Vincent added 11 points while Tilford and Nikki Bergman had 10 points each. Stechschulte grabbed a team-high six rebounds.

Olivet concludes the 2004-05 regular season Saturday, Feb. 19, with a 3 p.m. game at Saint Mary's (Ind.) College.