ALMA, Mich. – The Alma College men's basketball team faced off against Olivet College in a conference matchup on Saturday, Jan. 15. The Scots ultimately fell to the Comets in double overtime, 96-88.

Alma would start the game on a 14-7 run to take an early lead, benefiting off their hot three-point shooting. Olivet then fought back to tie the game and create a lead of their own. In a back-and-forth contest, the Scots continued to follow the game trends and tie the game back up until the Comets proceeded to take a 37-29 lead into halftime.

Returning from halftime, The Scots created a 16-3 run to regain the lead in the first eight minutes of the half. The next five minutes proved to be a battle as both teams would exchange one-possession leads with one another, but ultimately, the game went to overtime tied 63-63. 

The first overtime period started with Olivet jumping out to a one possession lead. Alma would tie the game and take their own lead converting on some points in the paint. Olivet again regain the lead with under a minute remaining, forcing Alma to foul and create quick points to keep the game close. Alma trailed 77-75, with five seconds remaining after Olivet made one of the two free throws. After an Alma timeout, the Scots would inbound the ball on their own baseline and drive up the floor for a layup by Brandon Whiteside to tie the game and push the game to a second overtime.

Olivet would push through the fatigue in the second overtime to create a several-possession lead over Alma. The Scots would stop the Comets defensively to create a one-possession game again, but it wouldn't be enough as Olivet would knock down their free throw late and ultimately end the game 96-88.

The Scots were led on offense by Xavier Bargesser who tallied 21 points. Brandon Rake followed behind with 17 points and Landen Moore-Pierce had 16. Rake led the Scots in rebounds with 12 and Bargesser had 10. Both Rake and Bargesser recorded double-doubles. Moore-Pierce led the Scots with three assists. Alma outrebounded the Comets, 55-43, and capitalized with 23 second-chance points.

The Scots will take a few days off before returning to play against Trine University for another MIAA matchup. The game will tipoff at 7:30 p.m. at the MTI Center in Angola, Indiana.

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