Angola, Ind. - The Alma College men's basketball team came up just short to Trine University (IN) in the first round of the MIAA Tournament on Tuesday (Feb. 25) evening, falling to the Thunder 82-79.

Neither team claimed more than an eight-point lead in the contest. There were seven ties and 15 lead changes in the game. Alma outscored Trine in the second half after struggling to find its stroke in the first.

On two straight Alma possessions, senior Zach Sinke (Grand Haven, Mich. / Grand Haven) was fouled while muscling in two tough layups. He converted both and-1's; the second at 6:56 gave Alma its first lead since the 10:35 mark of the first half.

The two teams traded the lead on the next few possessions. Steven Harvey's (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Eastern) reverse layup gave the Scots what would ultimately be their final lead with 3:36 remaining.

Alma was left with a chance when Langston Johnson missed one of two free throws with under 30 seconds remaining. Kleiver had an open look at a 30-footer as time expired but it was no good.

Cole Kleiver (Williamston, Mich. / Williamston) led the Scots with 21 points; he made all 10 of his free throws. Sinke had 16 points on six made shots. Kyle Woodruff (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Holly) scored 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Ryan Stevens (Lowell, Mich. / Lowell) finished with eight points and seven boards. Harvey had six rebounds and four assists.

This concludes the 2019-20 season for the Scots. They finish with an overall record of 13-12, a conference record of 7-7, and have made the MIAA postseason six times in the last seven years.