After losing a 79-75 nailbiter to Olivet back in early December, Saint Mary's was looking for revenge Saturday in a road conference matchup against the Comets.
Unfortunately for the Belles, this one was not nearly as close, with Olivet winning comfortably 87-63 at the Cutler Event Center in Olivet, Mich.
The Belles (5-13, 3-6 MIAA) fell behind early, with the Comets (12-6, 7-2) coming out on fire from behind the arc. Olivet made three consecutive three-pointers to give them a 12-point lead just eight minutes into the game.
The Belles clawed back into the game with a 10-0 run of their own, but Olivet's dry spell was short-lived. A 13-1 run gave the Comets a 46-26 lead with two minutes left in the first half, putting the game almost out of reach. The Comets would keep at least a twenty-point lead for the rest of the game, coasting to the victory.
Junior forward Katherine Wabler and freshman forward Krista Knapke were the only Belles in double figures, scoring 13 points apiece on combined 10-of-21 shooting. The 13 points were a career high for Wabler, and she also added six rebounds.
For the second time in as many games, the Belles gave up 87 points to an opponent, and turnovers and defense again showed themselves as the inexperienced Belles main weaknesses, with the Comets scoring 27 points off of 22 Belle turnovers. Saint Mary's forced 26 turnovers, but only managed 20 points off of those created chances.
The Belles are now 2-8 in their last ten games, and in those eight losses they have been outscored by nearly 17 points per game.
Saint Mary's will look to pick up a win when they return home to face MIAA foe Adrian on Wednesday. Tip-off for that game is set for 7:30 p.m.
