OLIVET, Mich. - Saint Mary's College Basketball fell to the University of Olivet on Wednesday night in MIAA action, 54-52. The Belles fall to 4-11 (1-5 MIAA) on the year while the Comets improve to 5-10 (2-4 MIAA).

Saint Mary's started out slow as they shot just 21% from the field in the first quarter and trailed 16-10 after the first 10 minutes. Freshman Ella Notaro (Crystal Lake, IL) led the way with six points in the quarter while sophomore Kate Restovich (Wildwood, MO) added the other four points.

The Belles would outshoot the Comets 35% to 29% in the second quarter but would go into the halftime break with their six point deficit, trailing 31-25. Restovich moved up to eight points on the night while junior Nicole Connolly (Mokena, IL) added seven in the quarter.

Both teams would struggle from the field in the third quarter, both shooting below 30%, but it was Olivet who would go into the final quarter with a 43-38 lead. Senior Lauren Gumma (Troy, MI) would kick the quarter with a three which led to her six points in the quarter as the Belles would shrink the Comets lead.

While both teams shooting struggles continued, Saint Mary's would make it a one possession game with less than a minute to go. After forcing a turnover, Restovich had her game tying shot blocked and couldn't get the putback to drop as the Belles would fall, 54-52.

Restovich would lead the game with 16 points while dishing out two assists. Notaro would add 10 points while senior Julia Schutz (Dyer, IN) would add nine. Connolly would grab a team high eight rebounds while both Restovich and Schutz would each grab seven boards. The seven rebounds for Restovich tied a career high, she would also grab three steals. 

UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES

Saint Mary's continues their road trip on Saturday as they travel to take on Adrian College on Saturday, January 18, with a 1pm tipoff. The trip concludes with a matchup at Albion College on January 22 before the Belles return home on January 25 to host Calvin University.