ALBION, Mich. – Rain Hinton scored a career-high 31 and Amanda Larson added 18 as Albion College scored a whopping 62 points in the paint in taking a 98-70 victory over Olivet College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women's basketball action inside Kresge Gymnasium.
Almost lost in the frontcourt production was a career milestone for senior Emily Bernas. She became the 10th Albion women's basketball player to reach 1,000 career points with a basket early in the third quarter. She finished the day with 17 points to push her career total to 1,008.
"Emily has been great ever since she arrived at Albion," Head Coach Doreen Carden said. "I knew she would reach 1,000 points from the start. She is a big reason for where we are as a program."
Bernas pulled down 10 rebounds to complete her second career double-double.
Hinton was dominant from the start, scoring 20 points in the first half as Albion held a 46-36 halftime lead.
It won't be long before Hinton reaches the 1,000-point milestone herself. She moved into 11th place on Albion's all-time scoring list and stands at 966 career points.
"Rain was really good and they had a tough time handling her," Carden said. "She slowed down and took her time and we did a good job of finding her."
Larson's 18 points was two shy of her career high she set at Alma College in December. She knocked down 6-of-11 shots from the field, including a 3-point basket, and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. She stuffed the box score with six rebounds and two assists.
"We did a good job of attacking the basket and getting them in foul trouble," Carden said.
Evelyn Wischmeyer also scored in double figures for Albion with 12. She added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Despite Albion's frontcourt dominance, Hannah Brown kept Olivet hanging around by knocking down 6-of-7 3-point shots. Brown scored a career-high 24 to keep the Comets within 13, 72-59, through three quarters.
Albion outscored Olivet, 26-11, in the fourth quarter as Brown did not score.
"Our style of pressing allows for open looks," Carden admitted. "The second half is where we see our style pay off."
Winners of three in a row, Albion is 12-2 overall and 4-1 against MIAA rivals. The Britons are home again Wednesday night for a 7:30 game against Alma College.
For the latest information on the team, follow @AlbionWBB on Twitter and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found @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
