Alma's Women's Basketball team hosted Calvin College on Saturday afternoon at Art Smith Arena in an MIAA contest for both teams. The Knights jumped out to a big lead at halftime and left Alma with a 65-50 victory. The Scots fell to 0-6 in the league and 1-14 overall, while Calvin improved to 6-0 in the MIAA and 12-3 in 2010-11.

"We came out flat and lacked energy this afternoon," said Scots Head Coach Keisha Brown. "You cannot fall behind by 30 points to a talented team like Calvin and have a chance to win. We fought harder in the second half and our effort was clearly better. We now have our biggest three games of the year this week, all on the road. But, we are still in the playoff hunt and we will work hard to get some wins." 

Calvin jumped out to a 10-0 lead five minutes into the game and never looked back, as they had a 43-13 advantage at halftime. So. Carissa Verkaik, the reigning MIAA Player of the Year, was the catalyst for the Knights in the first frame as she scored 21 points, had eight rebounds and four blocks.

The Scots played an aggressive and gritty final 20 minutes, as they outscored the Knights by a margin of 37-22. However, Calvin's big early lead could not be erased and the visitors completed the road win.

For the game, Alma shot just 25.9% (14-54) and just two of 18 from beyond the arc, while Calvin finished the contest at 40% (24-60) and the Knights outrebounded the Scots by a mark of 45-36.

Sr. F Sydney Beckwith (Weidman, MI/Beal City) paced the Scots with a double-double - 18 points and 11 rebounds - while adding three steals. So. G Danielle Hicks (Marshall, MI/Marshall) had 10 points, five rebounds and a team-high five steals, while Fr. F Sarah Stinson (Waterford, MI/Ketterin) had seven boards for Alma. 

The Scots will play at Albion College on Tuesday evening, beginning at 7:30 p.m.