The Alma Women's Basketball team traveled to Olivet College on Wednesday evening for an MIAA tilt, and the Scots, after leading most of the way, dropped a tough 66-65 decision to the Comets. Alma is now 0-8 in the MIAA and 1-16 overall, while Olivet improved to 4-4 in the league and 5-11 in 2010-11.

"We finally played with a lead tonight, we did some nice things and I thought things really started to click," said Alma Head Coach Keisha Brown. "We came up short, but if we continue to play like this, we will accomplish our goal of reaching the tournament. We will get back in the gym tomorrow and get ready for Hope on Saturday."

Olivet grabbed the first lead of the game at 2-0 at the 17:43 mark, but when So. G Danielle Hicks (Marshall, MI/Marshall) dropped in a lay-up for a 4-3 Alma advantage two minutes later, the Scots had a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the half.

Alma had their biggest lead of the first frame at 27-18, when Fr. G Brittney Deerfield (Gaylord, MI/Gaylord) knocked down a lay-up with 1:32 remaining in the half. However, Olivet scored the final six points of the half, cutting Alma's halftime lead to 27-24.

Olivet tied the game 34 seconds into the second half, but Hicks connected on a three-pointer just one minute later. That Alma lead would increase to a high of 44-32, when Jr. G Jessica DeBruin (Muskegon, MI/Mona Shores) downed a three with 14:54 remaining in the contest. 

The Scots maintained that lead until Olivet made two free throws with 2:35 left in the game, for a 59-58 advantage. The Comets had four-point leads twice down the stretch, but a lay-up by Alma Fr. F Sarah Stinson (Waterford, MI/Ketterling) tied the game at 65-65 with 25 seconds left.

However, Olivet was good on one of two free throws and the Scots were not able to get a shot off as regulation time ended. The Comets walked off the court with the one-point, 66-65, victory, leaving the Scots still looking for their first league win. 

Alma will next play on Saturday afternoon, when they travel to Hope College for a 3:00 p.m. contest against the Flying Dutch.