The Alma Women's Basketball team played at Cappaert Gymnasium on Saturday for the first time in 35 days, and the outcome was to the liking of the home team. The Scots defeated MIAA rival Albion College, 56-55, in a thrilling contest that improved Alma's league record to 2-2 and 3-10 overall, while the Britons fell to 2-3 in the MIAA and 6-7 in 2009-10.
"In practice this week, we talked about being more physical and aggressive, because that is what wins close games in this league," said Alma Head Coach Keisha Brown. "I am proud of how our girls responded this afternoon, as this game could have gone either way. Now we just need to carry it over as we get ready to play at Olivet on Wednesday."
The Scots came out strong in the first half and led by a margin of 20-6, when Sr. G Lauren Hasler (Mt. Pleasant, MI/Sacred Heart) hit a jumper at the 11:41 mark. The Britons showed no quit however, and went on a 19-4 run over the next eight minutes. They took their first lead of the game, when Keigan Shaw hit a three-pointer to give the visitors a 25-24 advantage with 3:53 left in the half.
The Scots regained the lead at 28-27, when So. C Aubrey Maxa (Saginaw, MI/Swan Valley) connected on a lay-up with 43 seconds remaining. Albion took a 29-28 lead into halftime, as Shaw hit a lay-up with five seconds left. Alma shot 43% in the first half (two of seven three-pointers), while the Britons connected on 29% of their attempts (two of eight from beyond the arc).
The second half was tight throughout, and as expected, it came down to the wire. Albion led by four points on a couple of occasions, but the Scots took a 39-37 lead at 11:43, when Sr. F Meagan Hoblet (Cadillac, MI/Cadillac) was good on a lay-up. Alma was able to get the lead up to seven points, when Hasler hit two free throws for a 49-42 advantage with 6:00 to go.
Albion took a one-point lead at 54-53, when Shaw hit two free throws at 1:43. But the Scots went ahead with 1:09 left, when Sr. F Kathryn Bigelow (Alma, MI/Alma) hit a clutch three-pointer. The drama went to the end, as Albion's Patricia Rewa had an opportunity to tie the game with no time remaining on the clock.
She was fouled as the buzzer sounded, but had two free throws. She missed the first and made the second, but the Scots walked off the court with the 56-55 league win. Alma next plays on Wednesday evening, when they travel to Olivet College in an MIAA contest against the Comets.
