Jessica Babcock posted her second-highest scoring output of the season with 19 points and Albion College made stops on the defensive end at the end of regulation and overtime to pull out the victory.
Babcock’s most important points were scored in the final minute of regulation. Alison Kessler knocked down a 3-point goal as Saint Mary’s built a 62-58 lead with 43 seconds remaining. Babcock pulled Albion even with an unusual four-point play as she sank a 3-point goal and free throw with 25 seconds left.
Babcock gave the Britons the lead for good when she connected on a jumper to make the score 69-68 with 40 seconds left in overtime. After two Saint Mary’s possessions ended with turnovers, Megan Garvey completed the scoring with a pair of free throws.
The game was close throughout as it featured 14 lead changes and the score was tied 15 times. Albion scored the first two baskets of the second half to build an eight-point margin, its largest lead of the night, with 18 ½ minutes left in the second half. Saint Mary’s largest lead was four points.
Four Britons scored in double figures as Kati Till produced 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Garvey and Autumn Charnley finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Charnley also dished out eight assists.
Kessler posted a career-high 31 points to lead Saint Mary’s. It was the second time this month she has scored at least 30 points. Bridget Lipke posted the second double-double of her career with 12 points and 10 assists.
Albion (9-7 overall, 4-4 MIAA) will put its three-game winning streak on the line Saturday afternoon when it hosts Hope College. The action begins with the junior varsity game at 1 p.m., followed by the varsity contest at 3 o’clock.
SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE (5-10; 4-4 MIAA) Alison Kessler 12-22 1-2 31; Bridget Lipke 6-10 0-0 12; Anna Kammrath 2-5 4-8 8; Erin Newsom 4-10 0-0 8; Maria Canfield 1-2 3-4 5; Patty Duffy 1-1 0-0 2; Katie Rashid 1-5 0-1 2; Nicole Beier 0-3 0-0 0; Mary Lynn Carlson 0-2 0-0 0; Megan Conaty 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-61 8-15 68. ALBION COLLEGE (9-7; 4-4 MIAA) Jessica Babcock 8-18 1-1 19; Kati Till 5-11 4-4 14; Megan Garvey 5-13 2-2 13; Autumn Charnley 3-7 4-6 11; Katie Elder 4-9 1-2 9; Stephani Croad 2-5 0-0 4; Stephanie Klumpp 0-1 1-2 1; Meghan VanMaele 0-0 0-0 0; Chelsea Gray 0-1 0-0 0; Emi Guimond 0-1 0-1 0; Amy Aemisegger 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-66 13-18 71. Saint Mary's College.......... 27 35 6 - 68 Albion College................ 31 31 9 - 71 3-point goals-Saint Mary's College 6-14 (Alison Kessler 6-8; Erin Newsom 0-1; Katie Rashid 0-2; Mary Lynn Carlson 0-2; Megan Conaty 0-1), Albion College 4-18 (Jessica Babcock 2-9; Megan Garvey 1-5; Autumn Charnley 1-4). Fouled out--Saint Mary's College-None, Albion College-None. Rebounds-Saint Mary's College 38 (Anna Kammrath 12), Albion College 42 (Kati Till 9). Assists-Saint Mary's College 18 (Bridget Lipke 10), Albion College 19 (Autumn Charnley 8). Total fouls-Saint Mary's College 21, Albion College 16. A-74