SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Alma College men's basketball team competed in day two of the Wittenberg Holiday Classic. The Scots faced off against Ohio Wesleyan University that resulted in an overtime thriller. Alma ultimately fell to the Battling Bishops by a final score of 99-91.

The Scots got on the board early with a basket by Connor Riley and then a quick three from Landen Moore-Pierce. Ohio Wesleyan then converted on offense and created a back-and-forth game early after tipoff. The Battling Bishops would extend their lead to seven points with eight minutes remaining in the first half, but the Scots had their eyes set on regaining the lead. Moore-Pierce scored five consecutive points and Tyshaun Walker would knock down a shot from behind the arc from a Peyton Bush pass to regain the lead over OWU. Alma would hold onto the lead until the final minutes of the half where Ohio Wesleyan would overtake the lead and bring the halftime score to 42-38.

The second half picked up where the first half left off and both teams battled close with one another. Alma relied on the deep ball to help regain the lead stretch it to five early in the half. The Scots would hold the lead throughout the half while OWU would bring it within a one score game before stretching the lead back out. With six minutes remaining in regulation, the Battling Bishops tied the game and this game proved to be a battle down the stretch. Alma would hold a one score lead or keep the game tied until the three-minute mark where they would take a four-point lead courtesy of a Colton Meister layup and Riley knocking down free throws. With a minute remaining, Alma would be up five, but Ohio Wesleyan would find themselves at the charity stripe and that would be enough to send the game to the extra frame.

In overtime, OWU would go on a 7-0 run before Alma would get on the board for OT. The Scots wouldn't back down a brought the game to within two points from a Gabe Bourdeau three pointer but would be held scoreless after that and drop another close contest.

Riley led the way for Alma with 22 points while Walker followed behind with 19. Moore-Pierce and Meister each were in the double-digits with 17 and ten, respectively. Bush and Meister collected seven rebounds which was a team high for both players. Moore-Pierce dished out four assists on the night while Meister tallied four blocks, each leading the lead in their category. Alma cause 19 turnovers from the Battling Bishops and scored 28 points as a result from the turnovers.

Alma will now take the next week off for the holidays before returning to the court on Thursday, December 29th, to take on Otterbein College (OH) at the Otterbein Tournament. Tipoff for the game is set for 4:00 p.m.

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Story Credit: Eli Pinter, Sports Information Student Supervisor