Women’s basketball team falls to Adrian, 67-65

The Olivet College women's basketball team let a seven-point lead in the second half slip away as Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Adrian College defeated the Comets, 67-65, today at the Merillat Sport & Fitness Center in Adrian.

In the first half, Olivet (12-9, 8-4 MIAA) led by as many as four points, 16-12, at the 13:31 mark when sophomore Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) made a three-pointer. Following a 23-22 Comet lead, the Bulldogs (7-13, 3-10 MIAA) went on a 12-4 run to take their biggest lead, 34-27. Olivet scored the last five points of the half to cut its deficit to two points.

The Comets' seven-point lead, 51-44, in the second half came with 12:09 remaining. Adrian tied the game two times and took the lead for good at the 2:18 mark. Olivet got as close as one point with 58 seconds left but a jumper and a pair of free throws sealed the Bulldogs' win.

For the game, Adrian shot 55.3 percent (26-of-47) from the floor, while the Comets shot 43.4 percent (23-of-53). Junior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) led Olivet with 20 points. For the season, she has 400 points, which is seven shy of tying the single-season school record. Sophomore Jaime Kowalczyk (Wyandotte/Roosevelt) and junior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) joined Graham in double figures with 13 points each. Graham and Smith shared team-high honors with five rebounds apiece.

Priscilla Yeagley provided a spark off the bench with 20 points for Adrian. She made nine-of-10 baskets, including two-of-two from three-point range. Nichole Roose and Jenny Carlson added 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The Comets return home Wednesday, Feb. 8, to face MIAA leader Hope College at 6 p.m. in the first game of women's/men's basketball doubleheader. The men's game with Adrian College will tip-off at approximately 8 p.m.