NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Sixth seeded Alma got a 16 point, 10 rebound effort from Katey Peacock (Gowen/Greenville) as the Scots knocked off Saint Mary's 49-46 in the first-round of the MIAA Tournament Tuesday evening at the Angela Athletic Center.

The win lifts Alma's record to 12-11 and they advance to play Calvin – who defeated Adrian 75-46 – in the semifinals on Thursday evening. The Belles end their season at 11-15.

In the opening half the Scots held a lead as big as seven points on two occasions the last coming at 19-12 with 7:57 remaining in the half. Saint Mary's held the Scots without a field goal the rest of the first frame and finished the half on a 12-1 run in taking a 24-20 lead at intermission.

After the Belles hit their opening shot of the second half in taking their largest lead of the night, 26-20, Alma went on a 6-0 run to knot the score at 26-26 with 15:29 left in the game. Neither team held a lead bigger than five points the rest of the evening.

Nicole Beier gave Saint Mary's their final lead, 35-33 with a foul shot at the 9:13 mark. Alma nudged in front and took a 42-37 lead on two foul shots by Peacock with 3:13 remaining. The Belles worked their way back and had a chance to tie it at the foul line but Alison Kessler hit 1-of-2 with 1:25 remaining and the Scots now leading 42-41.

From that point on Alma hit all seven of their foul shots. Kessler hit a three-pointer with five seconds lefts to bring the Belles within 46-45. After two Peacock foul shots, Kessler tried an off balance 30-footer that rattled around the rim but didn't fall as time expired.

Darie Philp (Ubly) scored 14 while Ashley Matuzak (Saginaw/Nouvel Cathoilc) grabbed 10 rebounds and scored seven points to aid the Scots effort. On the evening, Alma out-rebounded Saint Mary's 42-31.