UOlivet tripped up by Trine, 73-58
February 19, 2025
OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet women's basketball team fell to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) leader Trine (Ind.) University, 73-58, tonight at the Cutler Event Center.
THE BASICS
- Final Score: Trine 73, Olivet 58
- Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
- Records: Olivet 5-19 overall, 2-13 MIAA; Trine 22-2 overall, 15-0 MIAA
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The teams traded baskets in the opening minutes of the game. Clinging to a 6-5 lead, the Comets went on a 9-1 run over a three and half minute span to take a nine-point lead, 15-6, with 1:31 left in the first quarter. The Thunder scored the final five points of the quarter to trail by four, 15-11.
- In the second quarter, Olivet stretched its advantage back to nine points on two occasions. After the second time at 24-15, Trine used a 9-2 run to make the score 26-24 at the 1:36 mark. Both teams made a three-pointer to keep the differential. Senior Lily Connelly was nothing but the bottom of net on a three-quarter court three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to put the Comets ahead 32-27 at the break.
- The Thunder began the third quarter with a 10-2 spurt to take their first lead of the game, 37-34, at the 6:08 mark. Sophomore Anna Honnen split two free throws and after missing the second attempt, sophomore Kaylee Bush grabbed the rebound and made a layup to even the score.
- Trine answered with a layup before three-pointer by freshman Alayna Brown and a fast-break layup by junior Kinsley Hatfield gave the lead back to Olivet by three points, 42-39. Following a Thunder layup, Connelly drained a pair of tosses from the charity stripe and Hatfield made a shot from behind the arc to put the Comets ahead by six points, 47-41. Trine closed the quarter a three-pointer and two free throws to be down by one point entering the fourth quarter.
- The Thunder took the lead, 50-47, with two layups to start the fourth quarter. The Comets leveled the score when Bush connected on a shot from three-point range. Trine converted an old-fashioned three-point play on the other end of the court. Sophomore Christina Malackanich made a layup to make the score 53-52. Olivet did not get any closer for the remainder of the game.
- For the game, the Comets posted a higher field goal percentage than the Thunder, 47.9 to 40.0. The differences in the game were Trine made 10 more free throws and committed 19 less turnovers.
FOR THE COMETS
- Connelly scored a team-best 14 points. She also had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
- Bush contributed 13 points.
- Honnen and Malackanich each had seven points and two blocks.
UP NEXT
- Olivet concludes the 2024-25 season Saturday when it hosts Calvin University at 3 p.m. Prior to the game, the Comets will recognize their three seniors who will be playing in their final collegiate basketball game.
Lily Connelly beats the halftime buzzer with this long three-pointer. The @UOlivetWBB team leads #11 Trine, 32-27, at halftime.#GoCOMETS | #UONation | #d3hoops pic.twitter.com/6ZzKr5EiTP
— The University of Olivet Athletics (@OlivetAthletics) February 19, 2025