OLIVET, Mich. – Albion committed just 12 turnovers Wednesday, but a couple came during a critical juncture of the game as 23rd-ranked Olivet reeled off a 12-4 run to pull away for a 77-66 victory in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women's basketball action.
Albion survived Olivet's early haymaker as it answered the Comets' 14-6 run to start the game. Brett de Bear made a pair of baskets and Mikaela Bromley tacked on a jumper as Albion trailed by two, 14-12, seven minutes into the contest. Emily DeWaters' layup helped Albion forge a tie at 20.
Olivet never surrendered the lead, however, as Kelsey Campbell knocked down a 3-point basket and Heather Lauwers produced a pair of layups as the Comets extended the margin to 27-22. The margin was five, 34-29, at halftime.
Albion trailed by two on four occasions during the second half. Aly Bates sank a pair of free throws as the Britons trailed 51-48 with 9 ½ minutes to play.
Olivet pulled away as Lauwers and Campbell scored 3-point baskets and Carli Reid made four free throws.
"We played tough, we played hard, we did a good job of keeping our turnovers down, but they came at the wrong time," Albion coach Doreen Carden said. "I saw a lot of good things as we competed against a top-25 team. We have to have this effort carry over into our (Feb. 8) game at Trine. We need to get up for these final games of the season."
de Bear led all players with 22 points. She was efficient, making 7-of-12 shots from the field and 8-of-10 attempts from the free throw line.
All five Olivet starters scored in double figures, with Reid leading the way with 19. Stefanie Lang (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Campbell (11 points, 10 assists) achieved double-doubles.