Women’s basketball team opens season with 60-46 loss to Bluffton

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team began its 2022-23 season with 60-46 setback to Bluffton (Ohio) University this evening at the Cutler Event Center.

• Final Score: Bluffton 60, Olivet 46
• Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 0-1 overall, Bluffton 2-0 overall

• In the first quarter, the Comets led 7-6 after junior Lily Connelly made a free throw to complete a three-point play at the 4:38 mark. The Beavers scored the final nine points of the quarter to take a 15-7 lead.
• Bluffton stretched its lead to 12 points, 21-9, with 7:40 left in the second stanza. Olivet battled back to close the gap to seven points twice. After the last time at 23-16, the Beavers went on a 9-0 run to gain their largest lead of the first half at 32-16. A Comet basket made the score 32-18 at halftime.
• Bluffton's lead swelled to 21 points, 45-24, late in the third quarter. A three-point play by senior Rachel Swartz cut Olivet's deficit down to 18 points to start the final quarter.
• The Beavers gained their biggest advantage of the game, 57-34, with 4:20 remaining in the contest. The Comets put 12 of the final 15 points on the scoreboard for the 14-point loss.

• Olivet outscored the Beavers in points scored in the paint, 32-22. The difference in the game was Bluffton made six three-points while the Comets did not make a three-pointer. The Beavers also a 57 to 41 edge in rebounding, including a 26-12 advantage on the offensive glass.
• Connelly, Swartz and junior Jessica Jewell each scored nine points.
• Freshman Megan Mauney netted eight points in seven minutes of playing time.
• Freshman McKenna Rautio grabbed a team-leading six rebounds.
• Junior Madison Olsen and Swartz combined for seven blocks – four for Olsen and three for Swartz.

• Morgan Smith posted a double-double, 11 points and 15 rebounds.
• Sammy Shardo, Maddie Fitzpatrick and Peyton Henry scored 10 points apiece.

• Olivet plays in the Trine (Ind.) University Cameron Hospital Classic. On Friday evening, the Comets face Otterbein (Ohio) University at 5 p.m., and on Saturday afternoon, they face Edgewood (Wis.) College at 1 p.m.