First-year guard Brittany Kemperman matched her career high of 14 points as Albion’s bench contributed 38 points. Kemperman knocked down a couple of jumpers to spark an 8-0 run as the Britons built an 18-8 lead nine minutes into the game.
Adrian pulled within six, 24-18, with five minutes left in the first half. Albion responded with another run – this time a 16-4 spurt – to take a 40-22 lead to the locker room at halftime. Junior forward Kati Till ignited the run with baskets on consecutive possessions. Autumn Charnley and Emi Guimond followed with layups, and Kemperman and Amy Aemisegger contributed 3-point field goals. Chelsea Gray completed the first half with a layup with two seconds left.
Albion knocked down 12-of-22 shots from the field in the second half to prevent Adrian from ever mounting a comeback. Babcock sank a jumper, Till scored two free throws, and Kemperman contributed a 3-point goal as the margin ballooned to 22, 54-32, with 12 minutes left.
Babcock connected on 3-of-6 shots from 3-point range. Kemperman was 6-of-9 from the field, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Katie Elder finished with 10 points (4-of-5 shooting from the field) and five rebounds. Charnley had a great all-around game of eight points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Till contributed eight points and five rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench.
Albion, which finished the regular season at 14-10 overall and 9-7 in the MIAA, has gained the No. 4 seed for the MIAA Tournament. The Britons will host Olivet College for a first round game Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
ALBION (14-10, 9-7 MIAA) Jessica Babcock 5-11 2-2 15; Brittany Kemperman 6-9 0-0 14; Katie Elder 4-5 2-2 10; Autumn Charnley 3-7 2-2 8; Kati Till 3-8 2-2 8; Stephanie Klumpp 1-3 4-4 6; Meghan VanMaele 2-2 1-2 5; Emi Guimond 2-6 0-0 4; Megan Garvey 1-7 2-2 4; Amy Aemisegger 1-2 0-0 3; Chelsea Gray 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 29-61 15-16 79. ADRIAN COLLEGE (8-15, 3-13 MIAA) Nichole Roose 3-4 2-2 11; Kim Olech 5-9 0-1 10; Ashley Hart 3-4 0-0 8; Priscilla Yeagley 1-6 3-4 6; Elysia Norris 2-6 2-2 6; Jennifer Perrin 0-5 5-8 5; Jenny Carlson 1-7 2-2 4; Liz Hafeli 1-7 0-0 3; Cierra Seifert 0-0 0-2 0; Meredith Blazejewski 0-3 0-0 0; Corri Helldobler 0-3 0-0 0; Anita Stamps 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 16-55 14-21 53. ALBION........................ 40 39 - 79 Adrian College................ 22 31 - 53 3-point goals-ALBION 6-16 (Jessica Babcock 3-6; Brittany Kemperman 2-4; Amy Aemisegger 1-2; Kati Till 0-2; Megan Garvey 0-2), Adrian College 7-19 (Nichole Roose 3-3; Ashley Hart 2-3; Priscilla Yeagley 1-4; Liz Hafeli 1-3; Meredith Blazejewski 0-1; Anita Stamps 0-1; Jennifer Perrin 0-2; Elysia Norris 0-2). Fouled out--ALBION-None, Adrian College-None. Rebounds-ALBION 49 (Autumn Charnley 7), Adrian College 25 (Kim Olech 6). Assists-ALBION 20 (Autumn Charnley 7), Adrian College 10 (Jennifer Perrin 2; Liz Hafeli 2; Kim Olech 2). Total fouls-ALBION 19, Adrian College 18. A-200