WILMINGTON, Ohio – Albion College defeated Hiram College, 88-59, Friday night to advance to the title game of the Fred Raizk Memorial Tournament.
The Britons, now 5-0 on the season, will meet Franklin College at 3 p.m. Saturday in the title game. Bayleigh Walker scored a layup with less than a second remaining in regulation to lift Franklin to a 78-76 victory over Wilmington College in the first game Friday night.
Rain Hinton scored seven of her 27 points in the fourth quarter as Albion pulled away for the victory. Albion outscored Hiram, 29-13, in the fourth quarter.
Hinton, who also scored 27 points in the Britons Nov. 15 victory over Ohio Wesleyan University, hit 12-of-16 shots from the field. Only 18 Division III players have a better field goal shooting percentage in a game this season.
Hinton also grabbed 23 rebounds to match the Albion record set by Melissa Washburn in a 1979 game against Olivet College. Four Division III players have grabbed 24 rebounds in a game this season.
First-year guard Elena Welker scored 15 of Albion's 19 points in the second quarter. She knocked down 5-of-7 shots from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line in the frame. She finished the night with 22 points, one shy of matching her career high.
Nicole Sweetland provided a boost off the bench, scoring eight points in 12 minutes of action.
Get the latest information on the team by following @AlbionWBB on Twitter and Instagram. General athletics news can also be found at GoBrits on Twitter, AlbionAthletics on Instagram and Albion College Athletics on Facebook.
Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality at Albion College. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated competition facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.
The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu