Women’s basketball team defeated by Saint Mary’s, 72-67

OLIVET, Mich. -- The Olivet College women's basketball team fell to Saint Mary's (Ind.) College, 72-67, tonight at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The first seven minutes, 31 seconds of the game featured two tied scores and seven lead changes. Olivet built its largest lead of the half at five points, 23-18, after seniors Tiffany Thelen (Lansing/Waverly) and Caitlin Thilo (Onandaga/Eaton Rapids) drained back-to-back three-pointers. Saint Mary's answered with a 14-4 run to take its largest lead of the half, 32-26, with 5:19 left. Olivet scored two baskets before the Belles scored in the closing seconds of the half to make the score 34-30 at halftime.

In the second half, Saint Mary's went up by eight points, 40-32, at the 16:21 mark. The Comets responded with a 17-4 scoring spurt to take a 49-44 lead. The lead changed four more times until the Belles grabbed a 54-53 lead, and they did not relinquish it for the rest of the game. Saint Mary's was 7-of-8 from the free throw in the final 42 seconds to seal their victory.

For the game, Olivet shot a season-best 49 percent (25-of-51) from the floor, including 5-of-14 from behind the arc. The Belles made half of their shots (28-of-56) and 15-of-18 free throws, while out-rebounding the Comets, 37-21.

The Comets were led by junior Alysia Cole (Roseville) who posted team-highs in points (18) and rebounds (seven). Thilo and fellow senior Stephanie Spehar (South Lyon) scored 11 points apiece.

For Saint Mary's, Kelley Murphy posted her league-leading fourth double-double of the season with 24 points and 13 rebounds. She was joined in double figures by Patsy Mahoney (15), Shanylnn Bias (14) and Jessica Centa (10).

Olivet will take the rest of this week off for fall semester exams and be back in action Sunday afternoon when it hosts Trine (Ind.) University at 1 p.m.