Box Score ALBION, Mich. – It took 13th-ranked Hope College less than four minutes to build a double-digit lead Saturday and it went on to earn an 88-55 victory over Albion College inside Kresge Gymnasium.
Brittany Berry, a senior guard from Grand Rapids, took advantage of the opportunity presented to her when Albion opted to focus its defensive game plan to slowing six-foot post players Maura McAfee and Rebekah Llorens. Berry knocked down two of her first three shots from 3-point range and her steal set up Hannah Doell for a layup.
Berry knocked down 6-of-10 3-points shots to finish with a game-high 23 points. McAfee, who was 6-of-10 from the field, added a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Madison Geers produced 10 points off the bench.
"They played like the 13th-best team in the country," Albion Head Coach Doreen Carden said. "We were really trying to focus on their post players, and I thought we did a good job with that. They found other ways to beat us."
Albion outscored Hope, 36-33, in the second half. Sophomore guard Oreyana Curry was an efficient 5-of-9 from the field and she led the Britons with 16 points. Darian Payne chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds.
"We played a lot better in the second half," Carden said. "They made us play fast and we were rushing."
Three of Albion's final four regular season games are on the road. The miles begin to pile up Wednesday when the Britons head south on U.S. 127 for a matchup at Adrian College.
