Smith scores 35 points to lead women's basketball team to a 79-57 victory over Alma

Olivet College junior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) made a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) single-game record nine three-pointers to lead the women's basketball team to a 79-57 victory over Alma College this afternoon at the Upton Center in Olivet. For the game, she scored a career-high 35 points.

The previous record for three's was eight by Richelle Reilly from Albion College on Feb. 8, 1992 and Mindy Tilford from Tri-State (Ind.) University on Jan. 8, 2005.

In the first half of today's game, the Scots (8-6, 4-3 MIAA) went up by nine points, 18-9, at the 12:13 mark. Over the next five minutes, Olivet (10-6, 6-1 MIAA) went on a 12-0 run to take the lead for good at 21-18 when Smith nailed a three-pointer.

At halftime, the Comets led 35-28. In the second half, Olivet stretched its lead to as many as 24 points, 79-55, with 1:37 left in regulation.

For the game, Smith made 11-of-18 field goals, including nine-of-16 three's, and four-of-four free throws for her 35 points. She also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and had zero turnovers in 38 minutes. Sophomore Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) and senior Gina Willard (Casnovia/Kent City) joined her in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Brackenwagen also dished out a team-high five assists.

Alma was led by Katey Peacock with 15 points and eight rebounds. Darcie Philp added 14 points, while Ashley Borcherding added 10 points.

The Comets wrap-up the first half of their 2005-06 schedule Wednesday, Jan. 18, when they travel to play Calvin College at 6 p.m. The game will be a showdown for sole possession of second-place in the MIAA standings.