HOLLAND, Mich. – Despite holding the lead for a majority of the first half, the Albion College women's basketball team dropped their first conference match of the season, 79-56, to Hope College. Senior Cierra Cole recorded a career-high, scoring 20 points for the Britons, highlighted by a 4 for 7 mark from deep. 

Coming out with momentum and fire, the Brits led 9-5 early one. Anchored by threes from Lolo Reed, Riley Davis and Cole, Albion made its presence known in the opening period. Hope battled to tie the score at 9, but a small Albion run capped with a trey from Becca Ross saw the Britons leading 18-13 after one. 

Over the last three minutes of the half, the hosts used a large run and forced Albion into turnovers to take the lead for good. Albion committed just 10 turnovers in the contest, but the Flying Dutch turned those into points. Hope took a 38-33 lead into halftime. 

The Flying Dutch tacked onto their lead in the third, outscoring Albion 23-13 in the quarter. 

Reed finished with 12 points and a team-high six rebounds. 

The Britons move to 13-3, 6-1 in the MIAA. 

Albion will get another crack at a Top 10 opponent on Wednesday when they welcome No. 6 Trine to town. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.