ALMA, Mich. – The Alma College men's basketball team was met with their first nationally ranked team of the season on Friday, Nov. 19. 

The Scots fell to No. 4 Illinois Wesleyan University, 91-74, in Art Smith Arena. The Scots hung close for much of the game but were ousted in the final 10 minutes of play. 

The game started with Illinois Wesleyan creating a 7-2 scoring run, but the Scots battled back and tied the game up 8-8 in the first four minutes of the game. Alma would then lead the game for the next 10 minutes of play until the Titans took a one-point lead. The final minutes of the first half proved to be intense and had five lead changes in less than seven minutes. The Scots would go into halftime with a two-point lead over the Titans. 

The second half started with the same intensity. The Titans would then go on a 13-0 run in the middle of the second half. The Scots couldn't make a run of their own and started slipping away from Illinois Wesleyan.  

Alma was led by senior Cole Kleiver, who had 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Kleiver was also 9-for-9 from the charity stripe. Following Kleiver was Brandon Whiteside who had 10 points of his own. Landon Moore-Pierce followed behind Whiteside with nine points. Brandon Rake grabbed five rebounds. Alma's bench outscored the Titans' bench, 30-25. 

Up next, the Scots will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 20, when they take on the Augustana (Ill.) Vikings. The game tips-off at 3 p.m. in Art Smith Arena.  

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