The Alma Women's Basketball team traveled to Elmhurst (Ill.) on Saturday afternoon for a non-league contest and came up on the short end of a 61-43 decision. The loss dropped the Scots to 2-7 overall this season, while Elmhurst improved to 8-1 in the 2011-12 season.

A recurring problem for the Scots has been slow starts and poor shooting and unfortunately, Saturday was more of the same for visitors. Elmhurst was able to jump out to a 16-0 lead in the first 11 minutes of the contest, before Alma got a basket by Fr. G Mallory Pruett (Ishpeming, Mich./Ishpeming) at 8:13.

The teams traded baskets for most of the rest of the first half as Elmhurst took a 29-14 advantage into halftime. The Scots shot just 21% (six of 29) in the first 20 minutes, while the home team made good on 12 of 23 attempts (52%) as they built the lead. 

The second half was not much better for the Scots as Elmhurst was able to increase their advantage to 25 points, 47-22, at the 11:39 mark. As expected, Alma did not quit and went on a 13-2 run to close to within 14 points at 49-35 with 6:23 remaining. However, the deficit was just too much to overcome and Elmhurst walked off the court with the 18 point victory.

Alma shot 33% in the second half to finish at 27% for the game. Pruett paced the Scots with 11 points on the day, while So. F Mary Schlicher (Lewiston, Mich./Johannesburgh-Lewiston) had 10 points. Jr. G Danielle Hicks (Marshall, Mich./Marshall) led the team with 10 rebounds and added five points.