News Release

ALBION, Mich. — The Albion College women’s basketball team turned in its best defensive performance of the season, forcing 25 turnovers and blocking seven shots in a 67-55 victory over Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Olivet College.

Olivet, which came into the game averaging 78.4 points per game, was limited to a season-low 55 points on a season-worst 32.7 percent shooting from the field (17-of-54). The Comets made 24 percent (6-of-25) of their shots from the field in the second half. Juniors Katie Elder and Emi Guimond combined to block five shots, while sophomore guard Autumn Charnley collected a team-high four steals.

“This was the best defense Olivet has seen this season,” Albion head coach Doreen Carden said. “I was pleased with our effort on defense. We executed our game plan, doing a good job on their big shooters.”

Albion never trailed in the contest by staving off several Olivet runs. Senior guard Jessica Babcock staked the Britons to a 29-19 lead with 3 ½ minutes remaining in the first half when she scored seven points in a two-minute span. Olivet took advantage of two Briton turnovers to reel off six quick points and pull within four, 29-25, on Amy Brackenwagen’s basket with 2:30 left.

Babcock stunted Olivet’s momentum by knocking down a 3-point field goal after a timeout. Babcock scored all 16 of her points in the first half, and Albion went on to maintain a 35-29 lead at halftime.

Albion scored the first four baskets of the second half to build the margin to 43-29 with 16:40 left in the game. The Britons went on to score five points over 7:40 as Olivet drew within seven, 48-41, as Jaime Kowalczyk scored two free throws with nine minutes remaining.

Junior guard Megan Garvey led the Britons on a 5-0 run with three free throws and a layup as the lead ballooned to 12, 53-41, with 6 ½ minutes left. Olivet countered with a 5-0 run from the free throw line as the margin again shrank to seven, 53-46, with 4:19 left.

Garvey knocked down a 3-point goal and Charnley scored two points at the line as Albion held a double-digit lead with two minutes remaining.

Garvey and Charnley matched their career scoring highs with 18 and 12 points, respectively. Both players went 8-for-10 from the free throw line in the second half. Junior forward Kati Till was the fourth Briton to score in double figures, finishing with 11 points.

Albion (5-3 overall, 1-1 MIAA) will face its most daunting challenge so far this season when it travels to second-ranked Hope College Wednesday night.