Women’s basketball team defeats Alverno (Wisc.), 65-45, in first round of 2005 O.C. Comet Classic

Junior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Olivet College women's basketball team to a 65-45 win over Alverno (Wisc.) College today in a first round game of the 2005 O.C. Comet Classic.

The Comets (2-1) will play Aquinas College in the championship game tomorrow at 3 p.m. Aquinas defeated Rochester in the other first round game, 88-43. The consolation game between Alverno and Rochester is set for a 1 p.m. tip-off.

Alverno led by as many as eight points on two occasions, including 22-14, at the 11:38 mark. Olivet went on a 13-2 run to take a 27-24 lead. The run was capped by a three-pointer by Graham with 3:53 left in the first half. At halftime, the Comets led 33-26. In the second half, Olivet's biggest lead was 65-42 with 43 seconds remaining.

In addition to Graham, junior Jen O'Neil contributed nine points. Sophomore Amy Brackenwagen and junior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) grabbed six rebounds apiece.

Ambrial Miller topped the Inferno with 13 points, while Kim Murray posted a double-double, 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Following tomorrow's game, Olivet will open Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Tri-State (Ind.) University. Tip-off from Hershey Hall is 7:30 p.m.