Alma, Mich. - The Alma College women's basketball team snapped a four game losing streak tonight (Jan. 18) as they hosted non-conference competitor Siena Heights College in the Art Smith Arena. Alma held the led the majority of the game allowing the Saints to tie the ball game only three times throughout the game for the 66-61 win.

After the win the Scots improved to an overall record of 5-10. Alma is still on the hunt for their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) win of the 2015-16 campaign. Siena Heights is now on a two game losing streak bringing their overall record to 12-8.

Junior Tara Padgett (Freeland, Mich./Freeland) led the Scots with a season-high 20 points, scoring a 20+ game for the fifth time in her career. Two more Scots scored in the double digits including freshman Kassidy Blough (Jackson, Mich./East Jackson) who posted 13 and freshman Sophie Guzman (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge) who chipped in 10. 

Alma was down 14-11 at the end of the first 10 minutes but found a fire in the second quarter outscoring the Saints 25-8. In the second quarter alone the Scots had a shooting percentage of 61.1 percent giving them the 36-22 lead at the half.

The Scots came out of the locker room flat allowing Siena to go on a run but Guzman helped keep the gap wide scoring seven of her 10 points in the third. Alma was out scored again, 17-14 in the fourth quarter but held on to walk away with the victory. 

Alma shot 44.2 percent from the field goal 42.9 from behind the arc, their best this season. The Scots dished out 12 rebounds, six of which coming from Blough who nabbed a season high. Sophomore Lauren Higgins (Sterling Heights, Mich./Cardinal Mooney Catholic) grabbed team high six rebounds in the win. 

The Scots will continue their home game stretch turning around and playing Wednesday (Jan. 18) in the Art Smith Arena where they will welcome Trine University in their eighth MIAA competition of the season. Tip-off time is slated for 7:30 p.m. 

GAME NOTES:

• All of Alma's wins this season have come from non-conference games.
• Tara Padgett scored a season-high 20 points. This was her fifth time in her career to score 20 or more points in a game. 
• Kelsey Wolffis has recorded a block in every game this season except two.
• Kassidy Blough nabbed a season-high six assists.
• Raeanna Zink has gone to the free throw line in every game this season, shooting a team high 72.9 percent.
• In every win this season Alma has shot 40.0 percent or higher.
• Due to this victory the Scots snapped a four game losing streak. 

QUOTE:

Head Coach Kris Johnson

on the win... 

"Very proud of our team, we played a great first half. We knew they were going to make a run and they did but I am proud of the fact that we answered that run and kept the lead and found a way to win. That is huge for us right now and I am very proud of the team."