Women’s basketball team falls to Madonna, 70-62

The Olivet College women's basketball team let an eight-point halftime lead slip away as Madonna University rallied to beat the Comets, 70-62, tonight at the Upton Center in Olivet.

Following a 15-15 tie, the Comets (2-3) scored the next two points and never trailed for the rest of the first half. Olivet led by as many as 10 points, 36-26, at the 1:01 mark. For the half, the Comets made 14-of-25 (56.0 percent) field goals.

In the second half, Olivet led by nine points, 47-38, with 14:51 remaining in the game. The Crusaders (3-6) went on an 11-0 run to take their first lead, 49-47, since the 15:42 mark of the first half. Following three lead changes and a pair of tied scores, Madonna took the lead for good, 63-62, with 2:30 left in the game.

For Olivet, senior Audrey Graham (Battle Creek/Lakeview) scored a game-high 19 points, while senior Stephanie Smith (Waldron/Camden Frontier) added 16 points, including four three-pointers. Junior Amy Brackenwagen (Grand Ledge) grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

For the Crusaders, Martina Franklin posted team-high honors in points (17) and rebounds (seven). Diane Foley came off the bench to score 16 points and grab six rebounds.

The Comets are back in action Saturday, Dec. 2, when they host Tri-State (Ind.) University to open Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.