ALMA, Mich.  — The Alma men's basketball team played it close, but dropped a pair of weekend contests in Wisconsin.

 

The Scots started their weekend with an afternoon tip-off against the University of Wisconsin-Stout on Saturday, Nov. 27. The Scots ended up falling to the Blue Devils by a final score of 87-83.

 

The Scots battled hard early and found themselves keeping pace with the Blue Devils. UW-Stout distanced themselves from the Scots with eight minutes left in the half, but Alma kept battling. For the next five minutes, Alma would climb back from 10 down to tie the game with about a minute left remaining in the half. After a UW-Stout turnover in the final minute of the half, Nate Deyman would convert on a layup to give the Scots a 38-36 lead going into halftime.

 

After halftime, the Scots would come back and extend their lead over the Blue Devils. Three minutes into the second half, Alma would take a seven-point lead over UW-Stout. The game was then back and forth as the Scots would then take another lead with five minutes remaining in the game. With five minutes left, UW-Stout took back the lead and held it the rest of the game. 

 

Brandon Whiteside led all scorers with 22 points in the game. Cole Kleiver was second in scoring with 21 points. Landen Moore-Pierce led the Scots in assists with seven and in rebounds with six.

 

On Sunday, Nov. 28, the Scots traveled to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for another afternoon tip-off. Alma would end their weekend trip with a 78-66 loss to UW-Eau Claire.

 

The Scots started the game with energy but would fall behind early. Alma would once again battle back and keep the Blugolds relatively close for the remainder of the first half. Coming out of halftime, the Blugolds would extend their lead, calling for a comeback from the Scots. Alma would go on an 11-3 run in the middle of the half to tighten the scoreboard, but it would ultimately not be enough.

 

Leading the Scots in the second game of the weekend was Landon Moore-Pierce and Cole Kleiver, who each scored 15 points. Isaiah Williamson followed behind with 13 points of his own. Brandon Rake collected 10 rebounds for the Scots, while Brandon Whiteside led the team with three assists.

 

Alma will be back in action on Monday, Dec. 20, as they take on Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas. The game is slated for 4 p.m. tip-off.