Graham scores 31 to lead women’s basketball team over Albion, 79-75 in overtime

Olivet College junior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) scored a career-high 31 points to lead the women's basketball team to a 79-75 overtime victory over Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Albion College this evening at Kresge Gym in Albion.

The Britons (12-6, 4-5 MIAA) led by 12 points, 35-23, at halftime. In the second half, Albion led by 13 points, 39-26. The Comets (12-7, 8-2 MIAA) battled back and tied the game at 54-54 with 7:28 left in regulation.

From that point, the game was back and forth with the Britons gaining a four-point lead, 66-62, with just under two minutes left in regulation. Olivet scored four straight points, two on a jumper by sophomore Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) and two on a pair of free throws by Graham.

Albion grabbed the lead back when Liz Marcuz made two free throws with 22 seconds left. Courtney Ivan (Belleville) pulled down an offensive rebound and sent the game to overtime with a layup at the buzzer. Olivet took control in the overtime session as Graham scored seven of its 11 points.

Graham's 31 points led all scorers. She made 10-of-22 shots from the floor, including four-of-eight three pointers, and seven-of-eight free throws. Joining Graham in double figures were junior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) and Brackenwagen with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Brackenwagen also dished out six assists and committed only one turnover in 38 minutes. Ivan grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Albion was led by Jessica Babcock with 14 points, followed by Lia Cronenwett with 12 and Jaime Fornetti with 11. Marcuz had a team-high eight rebounds.

The Comets are idle until Wednesday, Feb. 1, when they host Saint Mary's (Ind.) College at 7:30 p.m.