Women's Basketball defeats Spring Arbor 62-51.
The Alma Women’s Basketball team played host to NAIA Spring Arbor University on Tuesday evening at Art Smith Arena and came away with a 62-51 victory. The Scots are now 2-5 on the season, while the Cougars finished the game with a mark of 3-8 in 2011-12.
“Tonight was a very good win for the kids and again I saw improvement and growth in them,” said Alma Head Coach Keisha Brown. “I am proud of our kids. we will continue to work hard and but with exam week coming up, we take tomorrow off for physical and mental rest. we want to be ready for Saturday’s MIAA game at Hope.”
The Scots never trailed in Tuesday night’s game and built a lead of 15-4 six minutes into the game when So. F Sarah Stinson (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) hit two free throws. The Cougars scored the next six points to cut the advantage at five, but Alma then went on a 17-6 run over the next nine minutes, culminated by a Stinson lay-up, to take a 32-16 lead. The Scots ultimately led at halftime by a score of 34-24.
Rachel Jaksa drives to the basket against Spring Arbor during Wednesday night’s victory
In the second half, Spring Arbor fought hard to the end, but the Scots stayed in calm and in control and never let the Cougars get too close. Alma saw their lead hit eight points three times in the first 3:30 of the half, only to increase the advantage to 16 again, at 50-34, when Sr. G Jessica DeBruin (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores) hit a three-pointer with 10:39 remaining.
Again, the Cougars did not go away and twice cut the lead to seven points, the second time being at 58-51 with 2:39 remaining. But, on this night, Alma was not to be denied and walked off the home court with the 62-51 advantage.
Four players scored in double figures for the Scots in the win, including Stinson, who led the team with a career-high 16 points. Fr. Grace Wheeler (St. Ignace/LaSalle) was next with 13 points, while Jr. G Danielle Hicks (Marshall, Mich./Marshall) and So. F Bailey Gooding (Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord) finished with 10 points a piece.
Hicks paced the Scots with nine rebounds and Stinson had seven, including four offensive boards, while Wheeler had four assists and three steals in the win.
Alma next plays on Saturday evening, when they travel to Holland to take on MIAA foe Hope College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Posted: Tue, December 6th, 2011 at 8:49PM