Women’s basketball team loses overtime heartbreaker to Aquinas, 69-66

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team lost a overtime heartbreaker to Aquinas College, 69-66, tonight in its home-opener at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.

The Saints took an early five-point lead, 7-2, before Olivet went on a 21-6 run to take its largest lead of the half. Sophomore Rachael Wagner (Clinton Twp./Fraser) capped the scoring spurt with a jumper from the left baseline. The Comets settled for a 27-21 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Olivet went up by as many as 11 points, 35-24, with 13:37 left in regulation. Aquinas responded with a 19-6 run to gain its first lead since the 14:19 mark of the first half. The final five minutes of the second half was back and forth, as neither team led by more than four points.

The Comets held a 56-52 lead with 1:22 left. The Saints made a three-pointer to put them down by just one point. Olivet answered with sophomore Kelsey Campbell (Olivet) making two free throws to make the score 58-55 with 21 seconds left.

After getting a stop on defense, the Comets had a chance to seal the win but missed the front end of a one and one free throw opportunity. Aquinas grabbed the rebound and after a timeout, Taelor Sanders sent the game to overtime to with a three-pointer.

Olivet led by four points twice in the extra period. The last time was 64-60. The Saints scored six consecutive points to take a 66-64 lead. Junior Sydney Radde (Stevensville/Lakeshore) made two free throws to tie the game with 39 seconds left. Aquinas got a layup to take a 68-66 lead.

Olivet missed a potential game-tying basket in the final 10 seconds and was forced to foul, where the Saints were able to make a free throw. The Comets were unable to get off a shot in the final eight seconds of play.

For the game, Olivet shot 32.8 percent (20-of-61) to 41 percent (25-of-61) for the Saints but out-rebounded them, 48-39. The Comets made just two three-pointers, while Aquinas had eight. Olivet was 24-of-26 from the free throw line, and Aquinas 11-of-23.

Radde posted a double-double, 16 points and 13 rebounds, to lead the Comets. Campbell was next with 15 points, including 13-of-14 free throws. She also dished out six assists. Junior Kaleigh Hill (Niles) came off the bench to score 13 points.

For Aquinas, Sanders led all players with 19 points. Liza Flewelling and Allison Heberlein each contributed 13 points. Flewelling grabbed a team-leading eight rebounds.

Olivet will host Trine (Ind.) University in its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.