Holland, Mich. - The Alma College men's basketball team suffered a 99-88 defeat at Hope College on Wednesday (Jan. 17) as the Scots fell on the road in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play for the first time this season.

Senior Kevin Scheibert (Sanford, Mich./Sanford-Meridian) netted a career-high 20 points, while sophomore Ryan Stevens (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) tied a season high with 20 points as Alma (5-11 overall, 2-3 MIAA) made .485 of its shots.

Senior Rob Holmes (Ada, Mich./Rockford) also registered double figures, scoring a career-high 17 points, while junior Kevin Gamble (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Sacred Heart) netted 10 points and tied Scheibert with a team-high nine rebounds.

Hope (9-7, 3-2 MIAA) shot .617 from the floor and was led by Jason Beckman, who led all scorers with 41 points. 

How It Happened

• An 8-0 run by Hope early in the first half gave the Flying Dutchmen a 12-4 lead just under five minutes into the game. Thirty seconds later, a 9-2 streak by the Dutch put Hope up by a 23-11 margin with 12:39 to play. 
• Thanks to second chances and free throws, Alma was able to cut the deficit to five points, trailing 32-27 with 5:38 to play. Hope was able to regain a double-digit lead to end the half, outscoring the Scots 14-4 in the final five minutes to enter the break with a 46-36 advantage. 
• In the second half, a 12-4 run by the Scots pulled Alma within four points with 14:24 to play, trailing 57-53. The Scots came within one point of Hope with 12:38 remaining, but a three-pointer by Jason Beckman gave Hope a 61-57 advantage. 
• The Scots and Dutch traded baskets down the stretch, and Alma trailed by two points at 79-77 with 5:17 to play. However, the Scots could not overcome the Dutch, as Hope and Alma traded three-pointers in the final minutes before the Dutchmen sealed the game at the free throw line.

Noteables

• The Scots have lost five straight against Hope, and have dropped the last 35 games to the Flying Dutchmen in Holland dating back to the 1993-94 season. 
• Alma lost on the road in league play for the first time this season.
• The Scots pulled down 13 offensive rebounds, tying a season-high. Alma has tallied 13 offensive boards in each of its last two games.
• Alma has scored 88 points in each of its last two games. 
• Ryan Stevens' 20 points marked the second time this season he has scored 20 points and the fourth time in his career he has scored 20 or more points.
• Rob Holmes posted a career-high 17 points and has reached double figures in his last three games.
• Kevin Scheibert posted his first career 20-point game with a career-high 20 points. He also went 8-for-8 from the free throw line and registered a career-high four assists. 
• Kevin Gamble pulled down a season-high nine rebounds.

Up Next

The Scots will return to Art Smith Arena on Saturday, Jan. 20, to face league-leading Adrian College. Tip-off between the Scots and Bulldogs is set for 7:30 p.m. on the campus of Alma College.