ALMA, Mich. – The Alma College men's basketball team opened their 2022-23 campaign against nationally ranked Elmhurst University (IL) on Saturday, November 12th in Art Smith Arena. The Scots fell to the No.24 Bluejays by a final score of 110-74 in Head Coach Mike Fitzpatrick's first game with the program.

Elmhurst got out to an early lead with a 7-0 run before Connor Riley would make a lay-up while being fouled. Riley would convert on the "and-one" to narrow the lead to four. Both teams would trade baskets for several minutes of gameplay until Elmhurst would start making stops on defense and stretch the lead with their offensive presence. Alma would enter the half trailing 64-39.

Coming out of the break, Alma knocked down two three-pointers from Riley and Landen Moore-Pierce, chipping away at the deficit. Alma kept their defensive pressure sustained throughout the game to force the Bluejays to turn the ball over 12 times, though it was not enough to slow down Elmhurst who shot over 50% from the floor.

The top scorer for the Scots was Tyshaun Walker who racked up 20 points, 18 of which came in the first half. Moore-Pierce and Aidan Judsen both tallied 10 points on the evening. Peyton Bush, Walker and Riley all collected four rebounds to lead the Scots. As a team, Alma collected 10 steals and 14 assists, with Bush and Moore-Pierce each recorded three assists. The Scots also tallied seven three pointers made in the second half to contribute to their 12 for the game.

Alma will now prepare for their Ohio swing of the season where they will start against Defiance College (OH), who they will travel to on Wednesday, November 16th. Tip-off for the game is at 7:30 p.m.

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Story Credit: Eli Pinter, Sports Information Student Supervisor