ALBION, Mich. – Olivia Savage made one 3-point shot all day but it forged a tie with 48 seconds left and Catie Neary, Darian Payne and Savage combined to go 6-for-6 from the free throw line as Albion College edged Alma College, 51-48, in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women's basketball action.

The Britons weren't looking for Savage to shoot from the perimeter, but she was left wide open in front of the bench when Neary was cut off driving to the basket.

"Olivia has been in (for extra shooting practice) and it paid off today," Albion Head Coach Doreen Carden said. "It was a huge shot at the right time. I hope it gives her confidence the rest of the year."

Alma led 45-41 with 1:39 left but the Scots missed three shots and Albion cleared the defensive rebound each time.

"To hold them to 48 points is pretty good, but we got big stops and big rebounds when we needed them," Carden said.

Albion would not have had an opportunity to make the comeback had first-year student-athletes Neary and Tori Henning provide the energy as the Britons overcame a 13-point deficit in the first half. Henning produced all six of her points on a 3-point field goal and three free throws. Neary finished the day with nine points, hitting 3-of-6 shots from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line.

"Our first-year players stepped up," Carden said. "They didn't play scared. Cutting the deficit to 26-25 at halftime was huge for us."

Briton Notes

The margin in all five of Albion's MIAA wins has been four points or less.

"We are finding ways to finish games," Carden said. "Our kids always believe they can win."

Albion connected on 15-of-50 (30 percent) of its shots from the field. It was Albion's second-worst shooting game of the season and its lowest shooting percentage in a win this season.

Next Up

Albion, 11-8 overall, is in the middle of a stretch of four consecutive home games. The Britons have home dates against Trine University (Feb. 4) and Hope College (Feb. 7) coming up.