Despite performing better as of late, the Belles will have their hands full tonight when they visit Albion, a team that has been very tough to beat all year.
Giving up a MIAA low of an average of 54.8 points per game, Albion's defense has been the story for its success all season. The Belles will need to continue their recent clean play to escape with a victory in this tough league match-up.
The first time these two teams played this season, Albion (14-4) came out victorious in a 51-40 victory. The Belles (5-12) were held to 31 percent from the field and committed 23 turnovers. Albion's offense failed to look much better, shooting just 32 percent and eight percent from behind the arc. If the Belles are to be victorious tonight, they will need to limit Albion to a similar offensive display while playing much better on their own offensive end.
Katie Miller led Saint Mary's the last time they faced Albion, with 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting, and 3-of-7 from 3-point range. Emily Creachbaum added 11 points and 8 rebounds in the Dec. 10 loss.
Despite losing the last contest against Albion, the Belles have momentum going into tonight's game. The Belles snapped a seven-game losing streak this weekend with a 67-64 overtime victory against Tri-State. Interestingly enough, the Belles last win before the seven-game skid came in an overtime victory at Tri-State; the last time those two teams played.
In the overtime win over Tri-State, Creachbaum had perhaps her best game of the season, scoring 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting. She was a perfect 3-of-3 from 3-point range, and grabbed 10 rebounds. Her presence will be needed tomorrow night in order for the Belles to win.
Emily Pernotto will also need to continue to produce on the offensive end. She has looked great at times this season, namely in losses to Widener and Kalamazoo, where she scored 17 points and 15 points, respectively. Her backcourt presence combined with Creachbaum in the interior could be important if the Belles are to win tonight's game.
Sarah Caskey is Albion's leading scorer this season, averaging 12.8 points per game and 42 percent from 3-point range. She has a team high 81 assists in the team's 18 games this year, and is coming off a 25 point performance in a victory over Adrian College on Jan. 24.
Albion and Saint Mary's will tip off tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Albion.
