Women’s basketball team falls to Defiance, 74-64

The Olivet College women's basketball team fell to Defiance (Ohio) College, 74-64, tonight at Karl H. Weaner Center in Defiance, Ohio.

Defiance led early in the first half by seven points, 15-8. Olivet scored seven straight points to tie the game at 15-15 with 11:05 left before halftime. The Yellow Jackets ended the half with a 20-6 run to take a 35-21 lead at the break.

Defiance stretched its lead to as many as 25 points, 48-23, at the 15:23 mark of the second half. The Comets rallied back and trimmed the Yellow Jacket lead to single digits, 65-57, with 3:12 left in the game. Olivet would not get any closer.

Senior Gabrielle Federau (Okemos) was one of three Comets in double figures with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor and 5-of-7 free throws. Sophomore Olivia Yarrell (Lansing/Sexton) scored 18 points, while junior Stephanie Spehar (South Lyon) added 12 points. Federau and Yarrell shared game-high honors with eight rebounds apiece.

Defiance was led by Courtney Schmersal with 16 points. She was a perfect 6-of-6, including 4-of-4 from behind the arc. Mandie White contributed 14 points and team-high seven rebounds.

The Comets will participate in the North Central (Ill.) College Tournament this weekend. On Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET, Olivet will play Simpson (Iowa) College. The consolation and championships are Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. ET, respectively.