UOlivet gives up halftime lead in 65-57 defeat at Dubuque

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Olivet women's basketball team held a nine-point lead at halftime before the host Spartans rallied to beat the Comets, 65-57, in the first round of the University of Dubuque Paxton Classic on Jon Davidson Court and inside the Stoltz Sports Center.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Dubuque 65, Olivet 57
• Location: Stoltz Sports Center; Dubuque, Iowa
• Records: Olivet 3-8 overall, Dubuque 3-7 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After falling behind 5-2, the Comets scored eight straight points on four-of-four shooting to take a 10-5 lead. Olivet extended its advantage to seven points, 16-9, before the Spartans scored the last three points of the quarter to trail 16-12 at the start of the second period.
• Dubuque fought back to take a 24-22 lead at the 5:32 mark. Olivet immediately answered with a three-pointer by junior Kinsley Hatfield. The Spartans regained the lead on a layup but Hatfield scored on the other end of the court to put the Comets back on top, 27-26. That basket ignited a 10-0 run to end the quarter for the Comets and help them lead 35-26 at the halftime break.
• Dubuque outscored the Comets, 24-8, in the third quarter for a 50-43 lead to begin the final quarter. The Spartans added to their advantage in the fourth quarter to pull away for the 65-57 win.
• Olivet made 24 baskets, including three triples, and six free throws for its 57 points. Dubuque canned 20 shots, with two three-pointers, and 23 free throws for its 65 points.

FOR THE COMETS

• Senior Lily Connelly posted team-bests with 15 points, nine assists and five steals.
• Junior Anna Honnen finished with 11 points, followed by sophomore Kaylee Bush with 10.
• Honnen grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
• Hatfield and sophomore Christina Malackanich each pulled down six rebounds.
• Senior Clara Shoales tallied nine points, five assists and five rebounds.

UP NEXT

• Olivet plays Loras (Iowa) College in the second round of the Paxton Classic tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m. ET. Loras fell to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, 65-57, in today's other first-round game.