ALMA, Mich. – Patty Rewa (Greenville) and Nicole Dennis (St. Clair Shores/Lakeview) led Albion College on a 7-0 run as it survived a challenge from Alma College, 85-77, in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women's basketball action. It was the seventh win in a row for the Britons who improved to 8-5 overall and 3-2 against MIAA rivals.

Albion tried to throw the knockout punch early as it sprinted out to a 21-4 lead. Rewa scored 11 of her game-high 23 points as she sank four layups and three free throws. Brett de Bear (Plymouth/Salem) scored seven of her 15 points during the early run.

Mallory Pruett and Jessica DeBruin combined to hit four 3-point baskets as Alma outscored Albion 23-6 over the next 7 ½ minutes to forge a 27-27 tie.

Albion built a six-point lead as Taylor Peruchietti (Lansing/Waverly)sank a pair of baskets and Tanner Johnson (Charlotte) added a pair of free throws, but the Britons hit a scoring drought with two baskets in the final four minutes of the first half to trail 40-37 at halftime.

Alma led by as many as seven in the second half. Dennis scored five points, Rewa produced a layup, and de Bear hit a 3-point basket in transition as Albion took its first lead of the second half, 51-50, with 16:21 to play. The teams traded baskets until Rewa and Dennis led Albion on the decisive run.

Dennis finished with 21 points for her third 20-point game of the season.

Grace Wheeler scored 18 points to lead Alma. Deerfield and Pruett produced 13 and 12, respectively, for the Scots.