Women’s basketball team beats Kalamazoo, 89-54

The Olivet College women's basketball team scored the first 12 points of the game and beat Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Kalamazoo College, 89-54, tonight at the Anderson Athletic Center in Kalamazoo.

The Comets (4-3, 2-0 MIAA) led by double figures for most of the first half. Their biggest lead was 20 points, 42-22, with 1:22 left before halftime. At the break, Olivet had a 42-26 lead.

In the second half, Kalamazoo (2-6, 1-2 MIAA) trimmed its deficit to eight points twice with the last time being 49-41 at the 14:26 mark. The Comets scored the next two points to stretch their lead back to double figures. They built their lead to as many as 35 points on two occasions, including the final margin of victory.

For the game, each team attempted 64 shots from the floor. Olivet made 36 for 56.3 percent, while the Hornets made 20 for 31.3 percent. The Comets connected on eight three-point baskets to just two for Kalamazoo. Olivet also finished the game with 47-31 edge in rebounding, including 36-17 advantage off the defensive glass.

The Comets had a balanced scoring attack as senior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) paced them with a game-high 21 points. Senior Amanda Johnston (Mt. Morris/Genesee) and junior Jaime Kowalczyk (Wyandotte/Roosevelt) each contributed 10 points. Senior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, followed by Kowalczyk with eight.

Andrea Bedway led Kalamazoo with 17 points. Briana Hendrix joined her in double figures with 11 points. Nyemade Cooper had a team-high six rebounds.

Olivet continues MIAA play Saturday, Dec. 16, when it travels to play Albion College. Tip-off from Kresge Gymnasium is 3 p.m.