Women's basketball team beats Kalamazoo, 72-63

Juniors Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) and Jen O'Neil (Auburn Hills/ Avondale) scored 20 points each to lead the Olivet College women's basketball team to a 72-63 victory over Kalamazoo College tonight at the Upton Center in Olivet. With the victory, the Comets (6-2, 2-0 MIAA) have won four straight games.

The Hornets (4-3, 1-2 MIAA) scored the first two points of the game. On Olivet's ensuing trip down the court, Graham nailed a three-pointer for a 3-2 lead. The Comets did not relinquish their lead for the remainder of the game. The biggest lead of the first half was 25 points, 45-20, with 32 seconds remaining before the break. In the second half, the Comets led by 24 points on three occasions with the last time being, 63-42, at the 10:18 mark.

In addition to their 20 points, Graham and O'Neil had four assists apiece, while O'Neil grabbed eight rebounds. Junior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) posted a double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Therese Demres scored a team-high 19 points for Kalamazoo. Stefanie Salasky chipped in with 10 points. Kelsea Howell pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Olivet will take a break from conference play and participate in the Franklin (Ind.) College Rim Club Classic this Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 17-18. The Comets will play the host Grizzlies Saturday evening at 6 p.m. The consolation and championship games are Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.