On Saturday, the Alma College Women's Basketball team hosted their annual Pink Day at Art Smith Arena. Today had special meaning as the day was dedicated to Keisha Brown, the former Scots Head Coach who passed away in April 2014 after a seven-year battle with cancer.

All proceeds from today's were donated to Angel Wing Foundation (over $2100 raised) to help the sons and daughters going through the unenviable pain of losing a parent, in memory of Brown. She was chosen to lead the Scots program in the summer of 2009 and served in her role for five seasons.

During her tenure, Brown fought cancer, but never missed a game. She was an inspiration and hero to many, while her committment and passion for her family, both personal and basketball, was something that she selflessly exhibited each and every day.

Current Alma Head Coach Kris Johnson spearheaded today's event and commented yesterday on what this game was going to mean to her players, most of whom were recruited to the Alma campus by Brown.

"It means everything to our players," remarked Johnson. "It's going to be a very emotional day for them. They are having a team meeting to try to get the emotions out today and not tomorrow. We are celebrating Brown's life and how she lived every day to the fullest and I'm hoping it will inspire them to have a little extra mojo."

Brown would have been proud of how the team competed against a talented and experienced Comets squad. The Scots led by five at halftime, but a spirited comeback by Olivet propelled the visitors to a final 78-69 margin of victory.

"It was a valiant effort by our girls today and we were so close," remarked Johnson. "Lang (Olivet center Stephanie) was a big difference as we took control in the first half when she was on the bench with foul trouble. But, the second half she was outstanding and forced us to alter our approach offensively. In the end, it came down to the final six minutes where they were able to make baskets and we could not answer.

"I thought our girls handled the emotion of the day very well and I am proud of all of them. Our parents really stepped up and helped with the event and I believe it was a very memorable day all around. It showed again why Alma College is such a special place."

The loss dropped Alma to 7-15 overall this season and 2-11 in the MIAA, while Olivet is now 11-10 in 2014-15 and 6-6 in the league.

There were five ties in the first half as the two teams went back and forth for most of the frame. The biggest Olivet advantage was five points (13-6), while the Scots led by eight points, 30-22, after a three-pointer by Sr. G Morgan Henry (Wayland/Wayland Union) with 4:50 on the clock. This would eventually be cut by three, but the home team went into the break with a 37-32 advantage.

After an emotional halftime video tribute to Brown and a speech by her husband Damon, the Scots came out in the final frame very poised and ready to build on the first half. At the 12:27 mark, Jr. F Raeanna Zink (Birch Run/Frankenmuth) hit a jumper that gave the home team a 57-50 advantage.

However, at this point, Olivet began to turn things around and take control. A 15-3 run gave the Comets a 65-60 lead with 8:41 remaining. The closest the Scots would come after this was three points, as Olivet showed their experience in putting the home team away.

The lead for the Comets went to eight points twice and they ultimately walked off the court with the nine-point victory, at 78-69.

(Damon Brown speaks to the crowd at halftime)

The leading scorer for the Scots was Zink, who had 20 points and added four rebounds. Three other Alma players were in double figures - Henry with 12, Sr. G Grace Wheeler (St. Ignace/LaSalle) with 11 and So. G Tara Padgett (Freeland/Freeland) with 10. Fr. G Emily Hinsman (St. Ignace/LaSalle) had a team-best and career-high 10 rebounds in the loss.

Alma next plays on Wednesday when they travel to Grand Rapids to take on Calvin College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.