The Kalamazoo College women's basketball team defeated U of M-Dearborn 87-81 in the Anderson Athletic Center on Saturday.
There were six lead changes in the first half and the visiting Wolves led by as many as seven points midway through the half. Kalamazoo recovered to tie the score twice before taking a 37-36 lead with 5:04 left in the half. The Hornets took a five-point lead (47-42) into halftime.
Kalamazoo led the majority of the second half while both teams played in foul trouble. U of M-Dearborn managed to take a one-point lead (61-60) with 10:05 remaining, but a layup by Katherine Johnston quickly put Kalamazoo back on top as the Hornets would lead the rest of the way. U of M-Dearborn made it a two-point game (79-77) with 2:50 remaining, but the Wolves could not get any closer as the Hornets sank four free throws down the stretch.
Kalamazoo shot a season-best 42.2 percent overall while U of M-Dearborn shot 36.2 percent. Kalamazoo was 27-of-32 at the free throw line while the Wolves made 27-of-33.
Kalamazoo outrebounded U of M-Dearborn 55-33, including 17-10 on the offensive end resulting in 20 second chance points.
Nicole Antoine led Kalamazoo with 18 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Lucy Mailing scored a career-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 14 minutes off the bench.
Emily Lindsay scored 12 points with seven rebounds while sinking all six free throw attempts. Holly Cooperrider scored 10 points while hitting 8-of-8 free throws with three assists and three steals.
Emily Mickus added eight points with four rebounds while Katherine Johnston fouled out with six points and four rebounds.
Kalamazoo is off until Jan. 5 when the Hornets host Olivet College in MIAA competition at 1 p.m.