UOlivet ends season with 78-51 loss to Calvin

OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet women's basketball team closed the curtain on the 2024-25 season with a 78-51 loss to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Calvin University today at the Cutler Event Center.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Calvin 78, Olivet 51
• Location: Cutler Event Center; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 5-20 overall, 2-14 MIAA; Calvin 15-10 overall, 11-5 MIAA

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Knights scored the first basket of the game. Olivet made the next one to tie the score. Calvin outscored the Comets, 24-2, over the next seven minutes to take a 26-4 lead. The Comets scored the final five points of the quarter to trail 26-9 to begin the second quarter.
• In the second period, the Knights extended their lead to 22 points, 31-9, at the 7:32 mark. Olivet fought back to close the gap to 17 points on four occasions. Afte the fourth time at 40-23, Calvin pushed its advantage back to 22 points. The Comets ended the quarter with two baskets to trail by 18 points, 47-29, at the intermission.
• The Knights' largest lead in the third quarter was 22 points three times. The final time was 58-36 to start the fourth quarter. Calvin took its largest lead of the game, 78-48, with 12 seconds left in the game.

FOR THE COMETS

• Sophomore Christina Malackanich posted a double-double, 17 points and 14 rebounds.
• Senior Lily Connelly added 11 points and four assists.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Before the game, the Comets recognized the three seniors – Connelly, Madison Kauffman and Clara Shoales – who played in their final collegiate basketball game.
• Connelly finishes her UOlivet career ranked in the top 10 in steals (second, 177), assists (third, 311), field goals made (tied seventh, 336), field goals attempted (ninth, 839), free throw percentage (seventh, 71.1) and points (10th, 892) and rebounds (tied 10th, 467).
• Shoales played in 96 games, with 59 starts, during her four years in the red and white.