ALMA, Mich. – The Alma College men's basketball team welcomed Kalamazoo College foe a midday MIAA matchup on Saturday, January 28th. The game honored National Girls and Women in Sports Day and took place directly after the women's basketball game. Alma was able to close out a fast-paced game with another win over the Hornets by a final score of 75-69.

Alma got an early jump on the Hornets by knocking down four three-pointers in their first six shots. Just over six minutes into gameplay the Scots held an advantage of 16-4. Kalamazoo would eventually find their footing and tighten the game up about halfway into the first half. Alma would create defensive stops and hold to Hornets away but not enough to lost focus. With just over seven minutes remaining, Kalamazoo took advantage of some of Alma's mistakes and knotted the game at 23 apiece. Connor Riley would then take the game into his own hands thanks to great passes and knock down consecutive three-pointers to extend the lead back to six. Alma would add a couple more baskets and made shots from the charity stripe to take a 40-32 lead into the half. 

Alma opened the second half with hot shooting from downtown again as Landen Moore-Pierce made back-to-back threes. Tyshaun Walker would add another of his own to start the half on a 9-0 run. Kalamazoo would struggle offensively early and the Scots at one point held a 21-point lead over the Hornets. Kalamazoo then broke through and put together a 14-5 run of their own to bring the game within several possessions. Alma would continue to trade baskets with the hornets to sustain a lead, though Josh Decker of Kalamazoo caught fire from deep and brought the game down to just two possessions. Riley and Moore-Pierce would convert on somewhat contest attempts down low to stretch the lead back to four before a Kalamazoo layup bringing it within two with under thirty seconds remaining. Walker would be sent to the line with twenty-four seconds remaining and make both attempts, which then lead to Alma standing up and getting a defensive stop before Walker was fouled again and sent to the line with one second remaining. Walker would make both and put the dagger into the Hornets at home in Art Smith Arena.

Moore-Pierce popped off in the outing to lead the Scots with 27 points. Walker and Riley followed behind with 16 and 14, respectively. Moore-Pierce and Riley both added four assists to lead while Gabe Bourdeau added two. Riley collected eight rebounds to lead the Scots and Moore-Pierce tallied three steals for a game-high.

Alma will now face Hope College on Wednesday, February 1st. Both men's and women's games will be honoring former Alma women's coach Keisha Brown and the Angel Wings Foundation by wearing pink. Tipoff for women is at 5:30 PM while men's tips off at 7:30 PM. Wear your pink to support during the games!

Stay up to date with the latest news, schedules, scores, recaps and more by downloading the official mobile app for Alma College Athletics. Search "Alma Scots Front Row" in the Apple App Store or on Google Play and download today for free.

Story Credit: Eli Pinter, Sports Information Intern