Women's basketball team rallies to beat Alma, 75-63

The Olivet College women's basketball team rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to beat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Alma College, 75-63, this afternoon at the Cappaert Gymnasium in Alma.

The Comets (7-7, 4-3 MIAA) jumped out to a 9-0 lead on three three-pointers – one by senior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) and two by senior Kenzie Steward (Alma). Olivet continued to lead until the Scots (7-7, 3-4 MIAA) took a pair of one-point leads, 14-13 and 19-18. Following a 27-27 tie with 3:26 left in the first half, Alma went on a 7-0 run to take a 34-27 lead at halftime.

The Scots went up by eight points, 39-31, early in the second half. The Comets answered with a 14-2 scoring spurt to take a 43-41 lead at the 15:30 mark. Olivet did not give up its lead for the rest of the game, and the final margin of victory was its largest lead.

Senior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) led the Comets with 17 points. Graham was next with 14 points and senior Courtney Ivan (Belleville) came off the bench to score 10. Junior Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) posted team-high honors in rebounds (eight) and assists (six), while scoring nine points in 34 minutes.

Heather Keenan paced the Scots with a game-high 19 points. Ashley Matuzak and Megan Hoblet joined her in double figures with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Hoblet also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Olivet hosts Calvin College in the first game of a women's/men's basketball doubleheader Wednesday, Jan. 17. The women's game will tip-off at 6 p.m., followed by the men's game at approximately 8 p.m.