ALBION, Mich. – Albion College shot 24 percent from the field in the second half as it came away with a 49-45 loss to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Olivet College inside Kresge Gymnasium.

Jay Bard, a first-year guard who prepped at Mason High School, produced seven points as Albion jumped out to a 9-2 lead midway through the first quarter. Darian Payne tacked on a pair of free throws in the final minute as Albion held an 18-7 lead at the end of the quarter.

Bard knocked down a three-point basket and Erin Nelson added a jumper as Albion forged its largest lead of the game, 23-9, with 8:39 left in the second quarter. Albion still held a nine-point lead, 29-20, at halftime.

Albion went scoreless for the first 7 ½ minutes of the third quarter, but it did not relinquish the lead. Olivet was unable to take advantage as it shot 21 percent from the field (4-of-19) in the period. Payne scored a layup and Tierra Orban produced five points off the bench as the Britons maintained a 36-28 lead.

Olivet connected on 9-of-15 shots in the fourth quarter as it outscored Albion 21-9. Bre Kidd scored all eight of her points in the period, including jumpers on three consecutive possessions three times until the Comets surged to a 46-43 lead. Leighann Thilo and Ayren Parrish combined to sink 3-of-4 free throws in the final 28 seconds to seal the game.

Bard led all players with 14 points, her second consecutive game scoring in double figures. Payne achieved her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Albion will travel to the Crisler Center on Saturday for a non-league game against the University of Michigan-Dearborn.