Women's basketball team defeats Tri-State, 72-53

The Olivet College women's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack to beat Tri-State (Ind.) University, 72-53, today in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) game at the Upton Center in Olivet.

Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) led all scorers with 24 points. Jen O'Neil (Auburn Hills/Avondale), Callie Reed (Howell) and Gina Willard (Casnovia/Kent City) contributed 10 points each, followed by Courtney Ivan (Belleville) with eight.

In the first, the Comets (11-7, 7-2 MIAA) led by as many as 13 points, 28-15, at the 2:20 mark when Graham made a three-point basket. At halftime, Olivet had a 31-25 lead.

The Comets extended their lead to 22 points on two occasions in the second half. The last time was 51-29 with 12:20 left in the game. The closest that the Thunder (2-16, 1-8 MIAA) would get was 11 points.

Junior Stephanie Smith (Camden/Waldron Frontier) grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, followed by Graham with seven. Sophomore Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) added six rebounds and six rebounds.

For Tri-State, Shanna Hoogenboom posted team-high honors in points (17) and rebounds (nine). Kamilla Ruffer scored 12 points on four-of-eight from three-point range.

Olivet continues conference play Wednesday, Jan. 25, at MIAA rival Albion College. Tip-off from Kresge Gymnasium is 7:30 p.m. On Dec. 21, the Comets beat the Britons, 64-53, in Olivet.