The Alma Women's Basketball team hosted MIAA opponent Trine University on Saturday afternoon and lost by a score of 59-57 at Art Smith Arena. The loss dropped the Scots to 0-3 in the MIAA and 1-8 overall, while Trine is 2-1 in the league and 4-5 in 2010-11.

"It is very frustrating to be so close but not to be able to pull out the victory in the end," said Alma Head Coach Keisha Brown. "We went into the lockerroom after the game and saw the frustration on the girls' faces. We as coaches stayed encouraging because we believe in this team. 1-8 is not indicative of who and what we are, and we are going to keep working hard every day. This team will not back down from anyone."

The first half was a defensive struggle as the home team held just a 4-1 advantage five minutes into the game, as both squads had trouble hitting shots against aggressive defenses. Alma's biggest lead of the game came at the 11:05 mark, when Jr. G Jessica DeBruin (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores) hit a three-pointer for an 11-4 advantage.

The game was destined to be close, as Trine took their first lead of the contest at 1:29, when Haley Killingbeck hit a jumper to go up 19-18. The teams exchanged buckets after that, and the Thunder entered halftime with a one-point lead at 21-20. 

Trine held on to a lead, albeit a close one, for the early part of the second half, before obtaining a nine-point advantage at 41-32 with 9:31 left in the game. After the Scots cut the lead to four points two minutes later, the Thunder achieved their biggest lead, 47-37, at the 6:26 mark.

Alma would not quit, and on three occasions, cut their deficit to one-point, the last being with 56 seconds remaining, when DeBruin connected on a jumper to make the score 58-57. However, the Scots could not make up that final point, and dropped the 59-57 final.

DeBruin finished the contest with team-highs in points (13) and assists (three), while Sr. F Sydney Beckwith  (Weidman, MI/Beal City) contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds. Fr. F Sarah Stinson (Waterford, MI/Ketterin) had eight points and 10 boards and So. G Danielle Hicks (Marshall, MI/Marshall) finished with five steals, five rebounds and eight points in the loss.

Alma hosts DePauw College on Tuesday afternoon at the Art Smith Arena. Varsity plays at 5:00 p.m., in a game that is preceded by a 3:00 p.m. JV contest.