ALBION, Mich. – Albion College trimmed an 18-point deficit to 6, but that's as close as it would get in a 69-62 loss to Heidelberg University on opening night inside Kresge Gymnasium.

Heidelberg led 53-35 when Paige Ricketts scored a layup with 16 minutes to play. Albion started to chip away at the deficit from the free throw line. The Britons scored 11 points from the line as the score moved to 58-46 with 7 ½ minutes left. Miranda Bates knocked down a 3-point goal and Aly Bates and Brett de Bear combined for three free throws and Albion trailed 58-52 at the 6-minute mark.

The margin was still 6, 60-54, when Kathleen Phillips produced a pair of 3-point baskets to extinguish Albion's comeback hopes. Phillips led all players with 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Allie Hawkins was the other player from Heidelberg to score in double figures, producing 11.

Albion ripped off a 7-2 run to surge to its largest lead of the night at 15-9 with 14 minutes left in the first half. de Bear, Albion's scoring leader with 16, sparked the spurt with a 3-point basket and a pair of free throws. Darian Payne produced a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds and Bates chipped in with 10 off the bench.