Alma College Women's Basketball hosted the Albion Britons at Art Smith Arena on Wednesday evening and dropped an 85-77 decision to fall to 1-3 in the MIAA and 3-10 overall. Albion improved to 3-2 in the league and 8-5 thus far in 2011-12.

"Tonight I saw a huge improvement in our team," said Alma Head Coach Keisha Brown. "Being down 21-4 early in the game and coming back to go up by three at the half is a true sign of how our non conference schedule has helped us. We are making progress and there is a lot of league play ahead of us. We are going to take it one game at a time."

The first half saw Albion jump out to an early 21-4 advantage just six minutes into the game, but Alma was able to scratch and claw their way back into contention. Off the bench, Fr. G Mallory Pruett (Ishpeming, Mich./Ishpeming) and Sr. G Jessica DeBruin (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores) each hit a pair of three-pointers. Those shots and aggressive defense allowed the Scots to go on an 18-3 run and tie the game at 27-27 with 6:21 left in the half.

The Brits quickly went back up by six at 33-27, but eventually the Scots their first lead at 36-35, when Fr. G Grace Wheeler (St. Ignace, Mich./LaSalle) completed a three-point play with 2:20 left in the half. The home team was then able to take a 40-37 lead into halftime, as Alma shot 47% in the first 20 minutes.

In the second half, Alma achieved their biggest lead at seven points, 48-41, two minutes in when So. G Brittney Deerfield (Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord) hit a three-pointer. However, over the next two minutes, the Brits went on a 10-2 run to take a 51-50 advantage.

The game remained close for most of the rest of the half as each team answered the other. But, at the five minute mark, the visitors began to take control and was able to get a lead of 11 (80-69) with 2:16 remaining. Although the Scots maintained the defensive pressure, Albion did what they needed to do walk off the court with final 85-77 margin of victory. 

On the evening, Wheeler led the Scots with 18 points as she hit eight of her 10 free throw attempts. Also scoring in double digits were Deerfield (13) and Pruett (12), while Jr. G Danielle Hicks (Marshall, Mich./Marshall) led the team with eight rebounds. For the game, Alma outrebounded Albion by a margin of 39-30 and the Scots finished with a shooting percentage of 45% (27 of 60).

The Scots will continue MIAA action on Saturday afternoon, when they host Kalamazoo College at Art Smith Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.