KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's basketball team lost 60-55 in overtime to Olivet College at home Saturday afternoon.
Kalamazoo trailed early in the contest but led 17-12 at the end of the first quarter. The Hornets went six minutes without a basket to start the second quarter as Olivet regained the lead (19-17) before taking its largest lead of the game (26-19) with 2:02 left in the half. Kalamazoo cut the deficit to 27-23 at halftime.
Kalamazoo outscored Olivet 15-5 in the third to take a 38-32 lead into the final ten minutes of regulation. The Hornets extended their lead to 10 (42-32) with 7:11 left in the fourth before Olivet began chipping away and taking a 46-45 lead with 2:01 remaining. Olivet led 50-47 when Kaelyn Arlington hit her third triple of the game to tie it at 50-50. Olivet turned the ball over with five seconds left, and a desperation three-pointer by the Hornets missed the mark as time expired in regulation.
Olivet scored the first five points in overtime and never trailed in the period. Kalamazoo cut it to 55-54 with 59 seconds left as Olivet made five-of-six free throws in the closing minute to secure the win.
Olivet shot 29.6 percent overall for the game compared to 27.7 percent by Kalamazoo. The Comets held a 53-51 edge in rebounds, including 18-15 on the offensive end. Each team had 17 turnovers in the contest. Olivet made 10-of-17 free throws compared to 13-of-23 by Kalamazoo.
Laila Vincent led the Hornets with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.
Kaelyn Arlington recorded her fifth double-double of the season (ninth career) with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Sara English finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Kylah Davis scored eight points with five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Jackie Brines added six points with six rebounds. Maddie Coffman scored four points with three rebounds and two steals.
Kalamazoo is back in action next Saturday, Jan. 28 at Alma.