The win lifts the Belles record to 8-11 overall and 6-4 in league play. The six conference wins ties the most victories ever for a Saint Mary’s team since joining the MIAA in the 1997-98 season. Alma falls to 8-8 and 3-6 respectively.
In the opening half the Belles knocked down 45.8 percent of their shots (11-for-24) including four shots from behind the arc in taking a 32-24 edge at the break.
Saint Mary’s seemingly took control in the second half when they pushed their lead to 48-35 with 8:54 remaining in the game but the Scots mounted a comeback. Over the next 2:16 Alma outscored the Belles 9-2 to cut their deficit down to 50-45 with 6:28 remaining.
Ashley Borcherding nailed a three-pointer with 2:25 left in the contest which got Alma within one point at 55-54. After a Saint Mary’s turnover, Borcherding missed a jumper that would have given the Scots their first lead since 21-20 with 6:49 left in the first half.
On the ensuing Belles possession Alison Kessler hit an off-balance jumper with 58 left to push the Saint Mary’s edge to 57-54. Heather Keenan hit one of two foul shots on the Scots next possession.
Bridget Boyce missed a jumper with 21 seconds left to set-up a dramatic finish. Borcherding three-pointer went off the rim with six seconds remaining but the Scot earned an offensive rebound. On the inbounds play Borcherding’s three-pointer from the corner was just short as time expired.
Kessler led all Belles scorers with 14 while Boyce chipped in 11. Erin Newsom and Nicole Beier each record 10 points in the victory.
Darcie Philp posted a game high 18 points for the visitors.
ALMA vs Saint Mary's College 01-25-06 7:30 p.m. at Notre Dame, IN (Angela Athletic Center) At Notre Dame, IN (Angela Athletic Center) SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE 57, ALMA 55 ALMA (8-8, 3-6 MIAA) Darcie Philp 8-13 2-5 18; Ashley Borcherding 6-13 0-0 16; Katey Peacock 6-14 1-1 13; Heather Keenan 2-6 1-2 5; Jenny Falkenberg 1-4 0-0 2; Ashley Wojtas 0-2 1-2 1; Emily Niemi 0-1 0-0 0; Kathy Hammerschmidt 0-0 0-0 0; Abigail Way 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 23-56 5-10 55. SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE (8-11, 6-4 MIAA) Alison Kessler 5-13 3-4 14; Bridget Boyce 4-11 0-0 11; Erin Newsom 2-5 6-6 10; Nicole Beier 5-8 0-0 10; Shelly Bender 3-6 0-1 6; Nicole Tucker 2-3 0-0 6; Bernadette Broderick 0-1 0-1 0; Meghan Conaty 0-0 0-1 0. Totals 21-47 9-13 57. ALMA.......................... 24 31 - 55 Saint Mary's College.......... 32 25 - 57 3-point goals-ALMA 4-17 (Ashley Borcherding 4-10; Katey Peacock 0-5; Jenny Falkenberg 0-1; Abigail Way 0-1), Saint Mary's College 6-14 (Bridget Boyce 3-7; Nicole Tucker 2-3; Alison Kessler 1-3; Shelly Bender 0-1). Fouled out--ALMA-Katey Peacock, Saint Mary's College-None. Rebounds-ALMA 31 (Darcie Philp 9), Saint Mary's College 33 (Shelly Bender 7). Assists-ALMA 12 (Abigail Way 3; Katey Peacock 3), Saint Mary's College 14 (Bridget Boyce 5). Total fouls-ALMA 18, Saint Mary's College 11. A-119