What better way for the Alma Women's Basketball team to play their first-ever game at the new Art Smith Arena than hosting the #2 nationally ranked and MIAA foe Hope College. However, in front a nice crowd of over 500 people in Alma on Saturday, the visiting Flying Dutch showed why they deserve the high ranking, defeating the Scots by a score of 70-44.
"We played our home opener in the new arena and we went up against the number two team in the country," said Alma Head Coach Keisha Brown. "We had a tough start, but overall, I thought we did pretty well. I know we played hard and we never gave up, but it is the first conference game and we are young. We have nowhere to go but up and I am looking forward to getting back to work."
One thing an underdog does not want to do, is put themselves in an early hole, but unfortunately, that is exactly what happened to the Scots this afternoon. When Hope's Lauren Geers hit a lay-up at the 16:17 mark, the Flying Dutch had an 11-0 advantage.
It proved to be a deficit that Alma just could not overcome, although it wasn't for a lack of trying. The Scots cut it to 15-8 at 9:42, when So. G Danielle Hicks (Marshall, MI/Marshall) hit two free throws. However, the Flying Dutch scored the next eight points and took a 37-22 lead into halftime.
After a 9-3 run to start the second half, Hope never looked back, keeping the Scots at bay for the remainder of the game. The Flying Dutch played the final 20 minutes methodically, and walked off the court with a record of 6-0 in 2010-11, while Alma is now 1-5 this season.
For the game, Fr. G Anna Mattson (Brighton, MI/Brighton) led the way for the Scots with 14 points, and tied for a team-high with five rebounds in 23 minutes of action. Sr. F Sydney Beckwith (Weidman, MI/Beal City) had nine points, five rebounds, three blocks and three steals for Alma.
The Scots host Rochester College on Tuesday evening at Art Smith Arena for a 7:00 p.m. game, before continuing MIAA play next Saturday at Saint Mary's. Alma will host league opponent Trine University on December 18 and then Depauw College on the 21st before the holiday break.
