NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Albion College whittled a 17-point halftime deficit down to a single point in the final minute, but the Britons were unable to gain the lead in a 70-67 setback to Saint Mary's College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women's basketball action.

Saint Mary's scored the first six points of the contest and it never trailed in the contest. The Belles ripped off a 23-9 run over the final 9 ½ minutes of the first half after Tanner Johnson's basket trimmed the margin to 19-16. Katherine Wabler and Kayla Wolter combined to score 13 points for the Belles down the stretch.

Albion trailed by as many as 24 in the second half. Brett de Bear scored nine of her game-high 23 points as the Britons ran off a 22-8 run to trim the deficit to single digits. Johnson scored a layup to make the score 63-55 with 5 ½ minutes left.

Albion was unable to cut the deficit to less than six until the final minute of the contest. Darian Payne's basket and Katie Thompson's free throws drew Albion within two, 67-65, with 22 seconds left. Albion trailed 68-67 on Johnson's layup with six seconds left.

de Bear scored on 8-of-17 shots from the field and 7-of-9 opportunities from the free throw line for Albion. Taylor Nugent buried three three-point field goals and finished with 13 points. Thompson contributed 12 points and seven rebounds.

Shanlynn Bias led Saint Mary's with 19 points. Eleni Shea chipped in with 14 points and nine rebounds.