ALBION, Mich. - Saint Mary's College Basketball fell at Albion College on Saturday, 65-63, in a matchup that saw both teams battle till the final buzzer sounded. The Belles fall to 6-9 (1-5 MIAA) while the Britons improve to 10-4 (3-2 MIAA).

The teams traded buckets early in the first quarter before back-to-back layups from senior Hannah Outlaw (Jones, MI) gave Saint Mary's a five point edge. Both teams would go scoreless for the next four minutes before going back and forth, finishing the first quarter with the Belles having an 18-13 advantage. Outlaw led the team with seven points while snagging two steals in the first ten minutes.

Albion found their rhythm in the second quarter as they knocked down 48% of their shots. The Britons used a 10-0 run in the quarter to take their first lead since the eight minute mark in the first quarter and went into halftime with a slim 32-31. Outlaw moved up to nine points while sophomores Kate Passinault (Grand Rapids, MI) and Ell Notaro (Crystal Lake, IL) added seven and six respectively.

The third quarter was the best shooting quarter of the day for Saint Mary's, as they knocked down 9 of their 15 shots (60%). The Belles defense also held their ground as they forced the Britons into seven turnovers in the third quarter as they took a 50-49 lead into the final ten minutes. Passinault would move into a team high 13 points and led with five rebounds while Notaro improved to four steals on the day.

The fourth quarter was as tight as it could get between these two teams, neither team earned a lead larger than five points as they traded baskets throughout the final quarter. Albion would use their best shooting quarter, 55%, while also holding the Belles scoreless for over three and half minutes towards the end to claim their 65-63 victory. 

Outlaw led the team with 17 points while Passinault added 13 and junior Kate Restovich (St. Louis, MO) kept her double-digit streak alive with 10. Passinault also led the team with six rebounds while Notaro grabbed five and sophomore Ella Andree (Spring Lake, MI) grabbed four. Freshman Liv Fry (Fort Wayne, IN) led the Belles with four assists while Passinault added three.

Notaro recorded her second straight game, and third of the season, with six steals. Her season total improves to 31, which sits second in the MIAA.

Saint Mary's dominated the turnover margin for the second straight game with a +8 advantage, 17-25. As a team, they shot 42% from the field while winning the battle in paint, outscoring Albion 44-38.

UP NEXT FOR THE BELLES

Saint Mary's returns home on Wednesday, January 14, as they host Alma College for their first matchup of the season from the Angela Athletic and Wellness Complex with tipoff set for 7pm.