Belles Starter Scores 41 Points: Alison Kessler is a Stand-out Both On and Off the Court
(January 17, 2008) - Wednesday night’s game at Kalamazoo was no slam dunk. In fact it was intense – more so for the Kalamazoo College Hornets than the Belles as Saint Mary’s tromped them 72-69. Belles shooting guard Alison Kessler lit up the scoreboard with a whopping total of 41 points, breaking a Saint Mary’s College record of 38 points set in the 1998-99 season.
As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Kessler’s point total was the highest scoring effort this season by any Division III player. The senior business administration and economics double-major is the Belles’ overall top scorer this year, a responsibility that second-year Coach Jenn Henley says she handles with a “great deal of maturity and leadership. The effort she showed against Kalamazoo was a great example of that.”
Henley says Kessler’s energy encourages the whole team to step up their game “another level.” But basketball is not the only activity on the minds of these dedicated students. They are setting academic records as well. The team grade point average (GPA) ranks them 18th in the nation among over 400 schools that compete at the Division III level. Their achievement is the best among all MIAA basketball programs.
Community service is also a priority. This February the Belles will participate in the “Think Pink” raffle, selling raffle tickets at $1 each for the chance to win two airline tickets anywhere in the continental U.S. The sales will raise money to benefit the young breast cancer survivors group of St. Joseph County. The winning ticket will be drawn on February 16 as the Belles take on Kalamazoo at home.
After playing 13 of their first 14 games away from Angela Athletic Center, the Belles play seven of their final 10 games at home. Fans can look forward to more shining moments from Kessler and the rest of the team. “…we need to take advantage of playing at home and that begins on Saturday against Tri-State,” says Henley. Tip-off Saturday is at 3:00 p.m. On February 9 the Belles will host an alumnae basketball game for former players. The alumnae will stay for the Belles’ game against Albion at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon.
For more information about the “Think Pink” raffle, call the Athletic Office at (574) 284-4694.