On Pink Day 2011 for Breast Cancer Awareness, Alma Women's Basketball team hosted Albion College on Saturday afternoon at Art Smith Arena. A basket by the Britons with 0.4 left in the game gave the visitors the 56-55 win, and marked another heartbreaking loss for the Scots.
"Again we came out slow and fell behind, but it was amazing game," said Alma Head Coach Keisha Brown. "For the first time this season, they were not concerned and that is a sign of maturity and growth. After the start, we played well and then just had a few shots that wouldn't go down. Sometime, our luck has to change."
The Scots were down 13-2 after seven minutes and then trailed 17-4 with 10:47 left in the first half. But the Scots outscored the Britons by a mark of 21-7 the rest of the way and took a one-point lead, 25-24, into halftime. The final bucket of the run was scored by Sr. F Sydney Beckwith (Weidman, MI/Beal City), giving the Scots their first lead of the game.
The game was close the rest of the way, but Alma was able to forge a five-point advantage at 39-34, when Fr. G Anna Mattson (Brighton, MI/Brighton) hit a bucket at the 9:42 mark of the second half. However, Albion outscored the Scots 16-5 over the next five minutes, taking a 50-44 lead. However, Alma would not go away.
The Scots fought back and took a 53-52 lead, when So. G Danielle Hicks (Marshall, MI/Marshall) hit a three-pointer with 1:53 left in the game. The Britons answered with their own lay-up at the 1:20 mark. After an Alma turnover and a missed shot by Albion, the Scots regained the lead at 55-54, when Fr. G Bailey Gooding (Gaylord, MI/Gaylord) hit a lay-up with nine seconds remaining.
However, the Britons, who did not call time out, inbounded the ball and drove the length of the court, where Patty Rewa, the team's leading scorer, put in a lay-up with just 0.4 left in the game, putting Albion ahead 56-55. A desperation inbounds pass was not successful, and the Britons walked off with the victory.
Beckwith led the Scots with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Hicks finished with 14 points and seven boards. Mattson contributed eight points, five rebounds and two steals and Gooding had a team-high four blocked shots.
Although the loss was a tough one for all Scots fans involved, the day was about more than just basketball. Money was raised for the awareness of breast cancer, a disease that does not care about wins and losses on a basketball court. Brown was very appreciative of the support that all four teams that participated today showed for the cause.
"It was so nice for me to be able to look around this arena today and see how every community pulled together to support our efforts," said Brown. "All of the Alma fans and the fans of Albion and Hope were great today. Everyone was so supportive and giving and that was what today was about."
