Women’s basketball team falls to Cornerstone, 78-53

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A 17-point halftime deficit proved was too much to overcome, as the Olivet College women's basketball team fell to Cornerstone University, 78-53, tonight at the Hansen Center in Grand Rapids.

The Comets got behind by 10 points twice in the first 10 minutes of the first half, with the last time being 25-15. Olivet scored five straight points to cut its deficit in half, 25-20, with 6:09 left before halftime. The Golden Eagles answered with an 18-4 run to take their largest lead, 43-24, of the half. The Comets scored a basket to make the score 43-26 at the break. Olivet would get no closer than 15 points for the rest of the game.

For the game, Olivet shot 39.6 percent (22-of-57) from the floor, while the Golden Eagles were 31-of-65 (47.7 percent). Junior Sydney Radde (Stevensville/Lakeshore) paced the Comets with 20 points and game-high eight rebounds. Junior SoQuitta DeShazor (Flint/Hamady) was next with eight points. Sophomore Kelsey Campbell (Olivet) recorded five assists.

Katelyn Cousins led Cornerstone with 25 points, including 22 in the first half. Samantha Fliestra and Ashley Moon chipped in with 16 and 11 points, respectively. Melissa Veltkamp posted team-highs in rebounds (seven) and assists (six).

The Comets are now off until next Monday, Nov. 28, when they host Aquinas College in their home-opener. Tip-off from inside The Cutler Event Center is 7 p.m.