The Alma College Women's Basketball team began a new era on Saturday evening as Head Coach Kris Johnson coached her first game after being named to the position last March. The Scots did not disappoint, as they won a thrilling overtime contest by a score of 67-65.

The victory gave the Scots a 1-0 record on the young season and snapped a 27 game losing streak that dated back to Feburary of 2013. It was also the season-opener for the Yellow Jackets as they are now 0-1 in 2014.

"I am so proud of these girls!" said Johnson after the game. "They never gave up and persevered through everything the game threw at us. It was great contributions by all and now we are 1-0 baby! It gives us something to build on moving forward."

The Scots showed some early jitters as they fell behind 6-0 in the first 1:05 and trailed 11-2 at the 14:42 mark of the first half, but they did not panic. They made it an 11-10 game at 11:37 on a lay-up by Sr. G Grace Wheeler (St. Ignace/LaSalle) but Defiance then extended their advantage to 20-12 over the next two minutes.

The Yellow Jackets led 25-12 with 7:55 remaining in the half, but Alma methodically cut points from that deficit. A 17-4 run culminated on a three-point shot by Jr. G Kassidi Adams (Montrose/Montrose) that tied the contest at 29-29 at the 3:22 mark.

Defiance scored the next five points but another three-pointer by Adams made it a 34-32 ballgame at halftime.

The Yellow Jackets extended their lead to 40-32 in the first 1:48 of the second half, but an 8-0 Scots run tied the game at 40-40 when Sr. G Mallory Pruett (Ishpeming/Ishpeming) put in a lay-up with 14:18 remaining in the half.

Alma took their first lead of the game just 1:18 later as Sr. G Morgan Henry (Wayland/Wayland Union) drained a three to make it a 43-42 game. However, Defiance would make the next basket and still led 51-50 with 6:20 remaining in the game. A three-pointer by Pruett gave the Scots a 53-51 lead and they would not trail again until the final 1:30 left regulation.

A free throw by the Yellow Jackets put them up 56-55, but two free throws by Pruett put the Scots up by one, 57-56, 49 ticks of the clock left. Defiance would make one of two from the charity stripe six seconds later, but neither team would score again and they went to overtime.

The Scots would lead the entire overtime period until the final 14 seconds, as Defiance hit a three-pointer that put them ahead by a margin of 65-63. However, the demons of seasons past were swept away in those final ticks of the clock - Henry knocked down a three to put Alma ahead 66-65, and after a missed shot by the Yellow Jackets, Adams put in one of two free throws for a two-point advantage.

Defiance had one last three-point opportunity as the buzzer went off, but it bounced off and the Scots had the much deserved first win of the season.

Pruett led the way for the Scots with 18 points in the win, but was followed closely by Henry's 15 and Adams' 11. Alma shot 34% (21 of 62) in the victory, including 40% (8 of 20) from beyond the arc. The Scots outrebounded Defiance by a 43-33 margin and were led by four players with five a piece.

Defensively, the Scots held Defiance to 36% shooting on 18 of 50 shots, including just four of 19 from three-point land. They also had 12 steals and forced 24 Yellow Jacket turnovers in securing the win.

Up next for the Scots is a game against Ohio Wesleyan University next Friday evening in the Wittenberg Tournament.