OLIVET, Mich. – In another dominant performance, the Albion College women's basketball team cruised to an 88-42 win over Olivet College on Saturday night. As has been the recipe all season, balance scoring, offensive rebounding and tight defense were the keys to another conference victory.
Winners of six straight, the Brits improved to 6-1 overall, 2-0 early in MIAA play.
Off the bench, senior Becca Ross led Albion with 15 points, going three of four from beyond the arc. Elena Welker and Daniah Beavers each scored 14, the only other Brits in double figures.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a back and forth start, Cierra Cole went on a 6-0 run alone to give the Britons some distance and break the game open. The fifth year senior hit a baseline jumper and was fouled on the play, sinking the free throw to finish the old school three point play. On the next possession, she buried a triple from the top of the arc.
Albion would end the first quarter on a large run, leading 23-12 after one period. The visitors kept up the pressure throughout the second quarter, building a lead as large as 26 points. The 26-point advantage would be what Albion would take into the locker room, holding a 52-26 lead at the half.
Out of the half, the Britons used a 9-0 run to completely hold off Olivet for the rest of the night. The Britons held Olivet to single digit scoring margins in each of the final two periods.
EVERYTHING BUT THE SCORE
With 21 assists on 36 field goals, the Britons are now averaging 17.0 assists per game – the best in the MIAA. They are led by Welker (3.9 APG) and Reed (3.6 APG) who are both ranked top five in the league.
Freshman Ava Guilford played like anything but a freshman. Guilford scored a career-best nine points on a perfect 3 for 3 shooting night, bringing down three rebounds and adding three assists.
Lolo Reed tied with Beavers to lead Albion in rebounds with seven boards. Reed scored six points and finished the night with a game-high five assists. Classmate DeBraya Edwards added eight points, four rebounds and four steals.
Both Erin Young and Audrey DeWaters tallied five rebounds.
The MIAA's leading team in offensive rebounding, the Britons recorded 16 offensive boards in the win.
On Tuesday, the Brits will travel to Great Lakes Christian for a 7 p.m. contest.