On a very emotional afternoon, the Alma Women's Basketball team said goodbye to four prominent senior players and to a gymnasium that will live on with lasting memories. The Scots gave a passionate and spirited effort against #11 Calvin College and almost came away with the upset. The home team, with a few dozen alumni players in attendance, had a chance to win, but in the end, the Knights walked away with a hard-earned 65-62 victory.
Seniors G Lacey Best-Rowden (Lansing, MI/Waverly), F Kathryn Bigelow (Alma, MI/Alma), G Lauren Hasler (Mt. Pleasant, MI/Sacred Heart) and F Meagan Hoblet (Cadillac, MI/Cadillac) competed in their final game on the home court and gave an effort that any Alma alum would have been proud.
"I am very proud of our girls, as they played a great game against a very good opponent," said Alma Head Coach Keisha Brown. "It was a day that celebrated four young ladies who have represented Alma well in their time here and will continue to do as well in their future endeavors. To have all those former players here for the last game in this gym was something special, and the only thing missing was the victory."
Calvin led at halftime by a score of 30-29 in a half which saw six ties. Alma was able to cut a six point deficit to just one in the last 1:30 of the frame. The Scots played tenacious defense and held the Knights to just 36% shooting, while the home team was good on 12 of 29 shots (41%).
The visitors extended their lead to 56-49 at the 6:18 mark of the second half, but on this day, the Scots were not going away quietly. Over the next 2:58, the hosts went on an 8-0 run to take a 59-56 advantage and put the Knights on their heels.
Calvin was able to regain the lead and was ahead 65-62 with 11 seconds left in regulation. Best-Rowden got off a three-point attempt at the buzzer that came up just a bit short, and the 11th ranked Knights escaped with the win. With the victory, Calvin finished the regular season with a mark of 22-3 overall (14-2 MIAA), while the Scots enter postseason with a record of 6-19 in 2009-10 (5-11 in the league).
The Scots were led by Hasler, who had 16 points, and Jr. F Sydney Beckwith (Weidman, MI/Beal City) who contributed 15 points and six rebounds and five steals. Bigelow had 10 rebounds and six assists, while Best-Rowden pitched in with nine assists and four steals.
The Scots will travel to Holland, MI on Tuesday evening, to take on Hope College in the first round of the MIAA tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
