Holland, MI – Alma College Women's Basketball took part in the opening game of the Hope College Post Exam Jam on Tuesday evening. The Scots couldn't slow down #13 Millikin University en route to a 94-67 defeat.
The first quarter got off to a slow start, with Millikin scoring the first 5 points of the game, and then the baskets remaining empty for a good chunk of the quarter. The score sat at 7-2 for a moment, before a large Millikin run opened up the gap. The Big Blue came in ranked at #13 in the country, due in part to one of the nation's most potent offenses, led by reigning All-American and 2022-23 Jostens Trophy Winner Elyce Knudsen.
After a slow quarter, the Scots offense picked up in the second. Alma shot 60% from the floor in the second frame, and made a pair of threes. The Scots offense doubled their output from the first quarter, scoring 21. However, the Big Blue scoring wasn't slowing down either, pumping in a 28 point period. At halftime, the score sat at 50-31.
The Scots couldn't maintain their efficiency from the floor in the third quarter. However, the team was able to continue to fill the bucket, thanks to several trips to the charity stripe in the quarter. Alma shot 7 of 9 from the free throw line in the period. Millikin answered with a 23 point effort to Alma's 19, and at the end of three quarters, the score was 73-50.
The fourth quarter mirrored the third, with Alma shooting a more efficient 42% from the floor, and making a pair of triples. The Scots also continued to convert at a solid rate from the free throw line. After a 3 of 9 performance in the first half, Alma was 10 of 13 on free throws in the second two quarters. When the final buzzer sounded, the score was 94-67.
Maddie Robbins (14 Points, 8 Rebounds, 4 Assists) Milly Duerloo (11 Points, 2 Rebounds, 1 Steal) and
Taylor Sas (10 Points, 3 Rebounds, 1 Block) were the leaders in the loss.
The Scots are back in Holland tomorrow to take on a talented Augustana (IL) team, who finished runner up to Millikin in the CCIW in 2022-23.
