Women's basketball team loses to Saint Mary's, 81-72

The Olivet College women's basketball team suffered an 81-72 loss to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Saint Mary's (Ind.) College tonight at the Angela Athletic Center in Notre Dame.

The Comets (9-9, 6-5 MIAA) led 11-10 with 13:52 remaining in the first half. The Belles (8-9, 8-4 MIAA) scored the next basket and never relinquished their lead for the rest of the game. The 12-point margin, 43-31, at halftime was their biggest lead of the first half. In the second half, Olivet closed to within seven points.

Senior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) scored 17 points for the Comets. Senior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) was next with 13 points. Freshmen Stevie Spetoskey (Clarksville/Lakewood) and Kelsey Gordon (Vandalia/Casspolis) netted career-highs in points with 12 and 10, respectively. Off the bench, senior Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/Genesee) grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Junior Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) dished out six assists.

Saint Mary's was led by Alison Kessler with 33 points, including 14-of-15 shooting from the free throw line. Erin Newsom posted a double-double, 16 points and game-high 11 rebounds. Bridget Lipke also had 16 points.

Olivet returns to the court Saturday, Feb. 3, when it hosts Adrian College at 3 p.m. Following the women's game, the Olivet men's basketball team will play Tri-State (Ind.) University at 7:30 p.m.