The win lifts Alma’s record to 12-11 and they advance to play Calvin – who defeated Adrian 75-46 – in the semifinals on Thursday evening. The Belles end their season at 11-15.
In the opening half the Scots held a lead as big as seven points on two occasions the last coming at 19-12 with 7:57 remaining the half. Saint Mary’s held the Scots without a field goal the rest of the first frame and finished the half on a 12-1 run in taking a 24-20 lead at intermission.
After the Belles hit their opening shot of the second half in taking their largest lead of the night, 26-20, Alma went on a 6-0 run to knot the score at 26-26 with 15:29 left in the game. Neither team held a lead bigger than five points the rest of the evening.
Nicole Beier gave Saint Mary’s their final lead, 35-33 with a foul shot at the 9:13 mark. Alma nudged in front and took a 42-37 lead on two foul shots by Peacock with 3:13 remaining. The Belles worked their way back and had a chance to tie it at the foul line but Alison Kessler hit 1-of-2 with 1:25 remaining and the Scots now leading 42-41.
From that point on Alma hit all seven of their foul shots. Kessler hit a three-pointer with five seconds lefts to bring the Belles within 46-45. After two Peacock foul shots, Kessler tried an off balance 30-footer that rattled around the rim but didn’t fall as time expired.
Darie Philp scored 14 while Ashley Matuzak grabbed 10 rebounds and scored seven points to aid the Scots effort. On the evening, Alma out-rebounded Saint Mary’s 42-31.
For the Belles Erin Newson tallied her second double-double of the year with a 12 point, 10 rebound effort. Kessler tied for team high honors with 12 points while Bridget Lipke recorded 11 to round out the double figure scorers for Saint Mary’s.
ALMA vs Saint Mary's College 02-21-06 7:30 p.m. at Notre Dame, IN (Angela Athletic Center) At Notre Dame, IN (Angela Athletic Center) ALMA 49, SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE 46 ALMA (12-11) Katey Peacock 2-10 12-12 16; Darcie Philp 7-9 0-0 14; Ashley Matuzak 2-6 3-6 7; Ashley Borcherding 2-10 0-0 6; Erica Philp 2-6 2-2 6; Abigail Way 0-4 0-0 0; Jenny Falkenberg 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-45 17-20 49. SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE (11-15) Alison Kessler 4-15 1-3 12; Erin Newsom 5-12 2-2 12; Bridget Lipke 4-8 3-3 11; Bridget Boyce 3-11 0-0 6; Shelly Bender 2-6 0-0 4; Nicole Beier 0-3 1-2 1; Nicole Tucker 0-2 0-0 0; Meghan Conaty 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-57 7-10 46. ALMA.......................... 20 29 - 49 Saint Mary's College.......... 24 22 - 46 3-point goals-ALMA 2-14 (Ashley Borcherding 2-8; Ashley Matuzak 0-2; Abigail Way 0-1; Katey Peacock 0-3), Saint Mary's College 3-17 (Alison Kessler 3-8; Erin Newsom 0-2; Bridget Boyce 0-4; Shelly Bender 0-1; Nicole Tucker 0-2). Fouled out--ALMA-None, Saint Mary's College-None. Rebounds-ALMA 42 (Katey Peacock 10; Ashley Matuzak 10), Saint Mary's College 31 (Erin Newsom 10). Assists-ALMA 11 (Abigail Way 3; Ashley Matuzak 3), Saint Mary's College 13 (Bridget Lipke 6). Total fouls-ALMA 13, Saint Mary's College 18. A-189