Women’s basketball team falls to Franklin (Ind.), 88-72, in first round game of Franklin Rim Club Classic

The Olivet College women's basketball team had its four-game win streak snapped tonight with an 88-72 loss to Franklin (Ind.) College in a first round game of the Franklin Rim Club Classic. The Comets (6-3) will play the Univ. of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the consolation game tomorrow at 1 p.m. Oshkosh fell to North Park (Ill.) University, 61-56, in the other first round game.

The Grizzlies (7-1) led by as many as 12 points, 25-13, with 4:49 left before halftime. Over the next four minutes, 18 seconds, Olivet went on a 17-3 run to take a two-point lead with 31 seconds remaining in the first half. Senior Karine Campbell (Ionia) finished the run by making two free throws. Franklin tied the game at 30-30 with a layup in the closing seconds of the half.

Neither team led by more than four points in the first five minutes of the second half. The Grizzlies broke open the close game with an 11-0 run, which took just under three minutes off the clock. Franklin's biggest lead was 18 points, 88-70, with 12 seconds left in the game.

For the game, the Comets shot 34.4 percent (21-of-61) from the floor. Junior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) paced Olivet with a career-high 28 points to along with seven rebounds, including six offensive boards. Junior Jen O'Neil (Auburn Hills/Avondale) joined her in double figures with 18 points. Junior Stephanie Smith (Camden/Waldron Frontier) grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

Lindsey Roberson posted team-high honors in points (24) and rebounds (nine) for the Grizzlies. Becky Ballard scored 14 points, while Brittany Beehler dished out a game-high nine assists.

Following tomorrow's game, the Comets return to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association action Wednesday, Dec. 21, when they host Albion College. Tip-off at the Upton Center is 6 p.m.