Kalamazoo, Mich. - The Alma College men's basketball team pulled off an overtime victory in the first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association match up on Wednesdasy (Jan. 6) over the Kalamazoo College Hornets, 86-85. Off the bench, sophomore Jason Beckman (Shelby, Mich./Shelby) led the team with 16 points in the victory.

Six separate Scots scored in the double figures, marking the first time six Scots have scored in the double-digits since this campaign. Sophomore Doug Bradfield (Mason, Mich./Mason) netted 14 points, junior Trevor Gernaat (McBain, Mich./Northern Michigan Christian) added 12 both sophomore Kevin Gamble (Mt.Pleasant, Mich./Sacred Heart Academy) and senior DJ Beckman (Shelby, Mich./Shelby) put in 11 and senior Scott Nikodemski (Rockford, Mich./Rockford) chipped in 10.

Each team led in the first half yet Alma found themselves battling back against the Hornets throughout the first 20 minutes of play. Alma remained relentless and Gamble finished the three point play in the last 1:33 of the first half to tie the game 37-37. Jason Beckman sank a jumper 30 seconds later to give the Scots the 39-37 lead heading in to the half.

At the 9:43 minute mark of the second half Gamble made a lay up to give Alma their largest lead of the game 69-55, forcing Kalamazoo to take a 30 second time out. The Hornets capitalized and tied the game 71-71 after a made three pointer by Kalamazoo's Adam Dykema with only 4:24 left to play in the final half. There were two more lead changes and Alma found themselves down 79-77 in the final minutes but Nikodemski made a jump shot tying the score 79-79 to send the Scots in to over time.

Gernaat comes off the bench in the final 50 seconds of the game to sink a three-pointer giving the Scots an 85-83 lead. Kalamazoo answers with a lay up from Jake Whitney to tie the game but Nikodemski was fouled with nine seconds left sinking one of two free throws giving Alma the 86-85 victory.

Alma was outshot in the game as the scored hit .455 from the floor while Kalamazoo 32-69 (.464). Alma did out rebound Kalamazoo 42 to 36 in the first MIAA victory of the season and notched 10 steals and five blocks.

The Scots will not hit the road for the next game and will welcome Adrian College to the campus of Alma College. Tip-off time is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in the Art Smith Arena. 

GAME NOTES: 

• Alma is currently on a three game win streak.

• The Scots have won seven of their last eight games. 

• This is the first game of the season six Scots have scored in the double-digit figures.

• Doug Bradfield scored his third consecutive game in the double-digits.

• The Scots have scored 80 or more points in their last five games.

• Alma has won five of their last six road games.

• Kevin Gamble had his third game of double-digit scoring in his career.

QUOTES

Head Coach Sam Hargraves

on the win...

"This game shows exactly how hard MIAA play is especially on the road. We were so fortunate and in many ways did not deserve to get this win. Much of the credit for that goes to Kalamazoo and we played with more nerves than I have seen in quite some time. We've been in a lot of close games this year and we did step up and make some nice plays this game when it counted. Clearly, we will need to play much better to have a chance to make the conference tournament."