The Alma Women's Basketball team hit the road on Saturday afternoon, as they took on league foe Saint Mary's. The Scots came out on the wrong end of a 67-58 decision, dropping them to 1-1 in the MIAA and 1-7 overall. The Belles improved to 2-1 in the league and 5-3 overall in 2009-10.

Saint Mary's jumped out to a 11-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game, and the Scots had to play uphill the rest of the way. Alma fought back and took their only lead of the game at 18-17, when So. G Rachel Jaksa (Mt. Pleasant, MI/Sacred Heart) converted a three-point play at the 8:34 mark of the first half.

The Belles went on an 18-4 run to take a 35-21 lead with 1:27 left in the half. The two teams exchanged baskets the rest of the way, and the home team went into the break with the 11-point advantage, at 39-28.

Alma played hard in the second half and made it a close game, but Saint Mary's was the better team on this day, and held off the Scots' advances. The closest the Scots came was four points, when Jr. F Sydney Beckwith (Weidman, MI/Beal City) hit lay-up with 10:30 left in the game to make it 47-43.

The visitors endured a 7-1 run after a time-out, and the Scots were not able to recover. Saint Mary's played consistent down the stretch and were able to keep a scrappy Alma team at bay, securing the win.

Beckwith led the Scots with 15 points on seven of 16 shooting, and added five rebounds and a block. So. C Aubrey Maxa (Saginaw, MI/Swan Valley) contributed 11 points and four rebounds for Alma. The team next plays on Friday evening, when they travel to Wooster College for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.