Alma, Mich. - The Alma College women's basketball team picked up their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) win of the 2015-16 campaign. The Scots brought down Trine University, number three in the league 56-47. Alma improves to 6-10 overall, 1-7 in the league while Trine drops to 11-5 on the season and 4-4 in the conference. 

Sophomore Lauren Higgins (Sterling Heights, Mich./Cardinal Mooney Catholic) led all scorers with season-high 12 points and brought in six rebounds. Freshman Sophie Guzman (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge) added 11 points and also grabbed six boards and junior Kaitlyn Kendall added to the boards with six of her own.

With 4:32 left to play in the first quarter the game was tied 7-7. The Scots pulled ahead in the final 22 seconds of the quarter after junior Tara Padgett (Freeland, Mich./Freeland) came off the bench and sank two free throws to give Alma the 12-10 advantage going in to the second quarter.

It was a tight knit second quarter before the Scots went on a 6-0 run in the last three minutes to earn their largest lead of the half. After 20 minutes of play Alma went in to the locker room with the 29-23 lead. 

Alma came out of the half flat, not scoring until 2:20 left to play in the third allowing Trine to go on a 9-0 run to take the lead 33-29. The Scots did find a little life to tie the ball game then head in to the last 10 minutes trailing only by two, 35-33.

Higgins helped control the fourth quarter scoring eight of her 12 points in those 10 minutes alone going 3-3. The Scots took the lead with 3:30 left to play in regulation and never looked back, taking their first MIAA victory in a 56-47 fashion.

As a team Alma shot 47.4 percent (18-38) and held Trine to just 27.3 percent (15-55). Rebounds were even as both teams brought in 30 boards a piece. Freshman Kelsey Wolffis (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores) kept her streak alive and nabbed four blocks and Padgett recorded a season-high four steals.

Alma will host their fourth consecutive home game this Saturday (Jan. 23) in Art Smith Arena on the campus of Alma College. Tip-off time is slated for 6:00 p.m. This game also marks the annual Pink Game for the Alma College women's basketball team as a fundraiser for the Angel Wings Foundation.

GAME NOTES:

• The Scots earned their first MIAA victory of the 2015-16 campaign.
• This was the first time Alma has beaten Trine since the 2012-13 season.
• Kassidy Blough has made a three in every game this year except one.
• Kelsey Wolffis has recorded a block in every game except two this year, standing in first in the MIAA in blocked shots per game.
• Lauren Higgins picked up a season-high 12 points.
• The Scots are currently on a two game winning streak.

QUOTES:

Head Coach Kris Johnson

on the first MIAA victory...

"I am proud of how we finally finished a game. We were in the game the whole time, for the most part we had very good defense. I thought we executed our offense well and as the game went on we got better and better. The fourth quarter was one of our best quarters, we were aggressive and we just finished a game with confidence and I am proud of our first MIAA conference victory this season."