ALBION, Mich. – The Kalamazoo College women's basketball team was defeated 68-59 Wednesday night at Albion College in the first round of the MIAA Tournament Presented by Collegiate Credit Union. Kalamazoo qualified for the tournament as the sixth seed while Albion was the three seed.

This was Kalamazoo's first MIAA Tournament appearance since entering as the eight seed in the 2021 and 2022 COVID-19 affected conference tournaments. The Hornets last qualified for a four-team MIAA Tournament as the three seed in 2015.

Kalamazoo trailed by as many as 10 points in the first quarter before going into the second down 16-12. Kalamazoo again trailed by 10 before going into halftime down 32-25. Kalamazoo cut the deficit to three in the third but trailed by 17 (54-37) with 1:05 remaining before ending the quarter down 13 (54-41). The Hornets trailed again by 17 early in the fourth and battled back but were unable to get within eight in the final minutes of the contest.

Kalamazoo shot 39.7 percent overall compared to 37.5 percent by Albion. The Britons made 16-of-28 free throws while Kalamazoo made 3-of-8. Kalamazoo held a 47-40 edge in rebounds. Each team had 15 offensive rebounds.

Lauren Vanderstelt led Kalamazoo with 27 points, 20 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Vanderstelt became Kalamazoo's single-season record holder with 277.

Sophia Moir scored 15 points with three rebounds and three assists.

Ruby Hogan finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.