OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College women's basketball team lost 60-45 to Cornerstone University tonight in a non-conference contest at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet.
In the early stages of the game, there were three lead changes and five tied scores. Following the last tie at 11-11, senior Caitlin Thilo (Onondaga/Eaton Rapids) drained a three-pointer to put the Comets ahead 14-11 with 13:28 left before halftime. The Golden Eagles then went on a 12-0 run over the next nine minutes to take a 23-14 lead.
The teams traded baskets and then Cornerstone built its first double digit lead, 28-18, at the 2:52 mark. Olivet scored five straight points to cut its deficit in half. The Golden Eagles scored the final four points of the half to take a 32-23 lead at the break.
In the second half, the Comets came as close as four points three times, including the last time being 38-34 with 10:09 left in the game. Cornerstone pushed its lead to as many as 17 points late in the game.
For the game, Olivet shot 28.8 percent (15-of-52) from the floor to 38.9 percent (21-of-54) for the Golden Eagles. The Comets did out-rebound Cornerstone, 41-36.
For Olivet, junior Alysia Cole (Roseville) posted game-highs in points (12) and rebounds (20). Nine of her 20 rebounds were off the offensive glass. Senior Stephanie Spehar (South Lyon) contributed nine points.
The Golden Eagles had a balanced scoring attack, as 11 different players scored at least two points and nobody reached double figures. Robyn Veltkamp scored a team-leading nine points. Ellisha Crosby came off the bench to score eight, while Melissa Veltkamp had seven. Brooke Carter grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
The Comets will return to action this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 26-27, when they host the 2010 Olivet Thanksgiving Tournament. Friday's games feature Aquinas vs. Calvin at 5:30 p.m., and Olivet versus Indiana University-South Bend at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the opponents swap with Calvin playing IU-South Bend at 2 p.m., and the Comets playing Aquinas at 4 p.m.