On Saturday afternoon, the Alma College Women's Basketball team welcomed back alumni, both young and old, as they hosted Trine University in a MIAA tilt. Unfortunately, the visitors would use a late first half push and an outstanding second half to defeat the Scots by a score of 71-57.

With the defeat, Alma is now 6-10 overall in 2014-15 and 1-6 in the MIAA, while the Thunder improved to 5-2 in the league and 11-5 for the season.

"I thought we played very well in the first 10 minutes, but then turnovers and a lack of rebounding took it's toll," said Scots Head Coach Kris Johnson. "We need to remember how we played in those first minutes and translate that to a whole game, because we have the ability to do so when we believe.

"On the bright side, it was wonderful to have all the alumni in the gym. They came from Florida, North Carolina and many other places to be here with us. I am thankful for all of them and it shows what Alma College women's basketball has been and can be moving forward."

Trine scored the first four points of the game but then the two teams were tied at 4-4, 6-6, 8-8 and 10-10 before Alma put in five in a row, the last of them being two free throws by Sr. G Morgan Henry (Wayland/Wayland Union).

The Thunder answered with eight in a row for a three point lead at the 7:32 mark of the half. The Scots cut their deficit to 20-18 on a three-point play by Fr. G Emily Hinsman (St. Ignace/LaSalle) with 6:39 remaining in the frame.

At this point, things went downhill for the home team, as the Thunder outscored the Scots by a margin of 13-4 to head into the halftime break with a 33-22 advantage.

Trine took little time to put the exclamation point on the afternoon as they came out flying in the second half. Over the first 4:56 of the frame, the Thunder outscored the Scots 13-2 and pushed their lead to 46-24. That deficit would prove to be too much for the home team.

The Thunder would eventually lead by as many as 25 points before Alma outscored them 10-0 over the final 3:02. That late push would end the game with the final score of 71-57, sending Trine back home to Indiana victorious on the afternoon.

Jr. F Raeanna Zink (Birch Run/Frankenmuth) and Sr. G Mallory Pruett (Ishpeming/Ishpeming) scored 12 and 10 points respectively to lead the Scots in the loss. So. F Morgan Seaberg (North Muskegon/North Muskegon) had a team-high five rebounds, while Zink had a squad-best three assists.

The Scots play next at Adrian College on Wednesday evening. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.