ALMA, Mich. – After spending the weekend on the road, Alma College men's basketball returned to their home court for the first time of the season hosting the Vikings of North Park University on Wednesday, November 12th. The Scots led for 35 minutes throughout the game though the last several minutes slipped away and North Park snuck out of Michigan with an 82-77 win, moving the Scots to 0-3 on the young season.
Alma opened the scoring just eight seconds in on a three pointer by Josh Elliott. North Park responded with a three of their own and two more jumpers to take their first lead of the game. Alma regained the lead after another three by Elliott combined with a jumper and three by Donovan Collins, putting the Scots up, where they would hold on to it for an extended time. A 9-2 run following the Collins makes extended the Scots lead to double digits, where it would hoover for a majority of the first half. Alma's largest lead of the first half would come with seven minutes left as Preston Malpass knocked down a three to put the home team up 15, continuing the hot shooting from deep. Alma headed into the half up 13 over the Vikings on almost 43% shooting from beyond the arc in the first half.
Returning to the court after a break, Alma was able to build their lead to 16, a game high, just two minutes onto the new frame. A 9-0 run from the Vikings in just over two minutes slowed the Scots down after feeling comfortable coming out of the half. North Park continued to apply pressure offensively getting their deficit into the single digits and even down to trailing by two possessions. Halfway through the second half, Alma continued to hold a lead, though it had diminished from what was built up from the first half of play. Trading buckets coming down the stretch, the lead never reached more than three possessions but had not switched in favor of the Vikings either. North Park would tie the game with just over a minute remaining in action and take a one-point lead following a pair of free throws. From the points at the free throw line for the visitors, the Scots would be held off the board after several attempts to regain the lead and not let the game slip away in heartbreaking fashion. Free throws at the end would seal the game for North Park as they were able to come from behind and escape Alma with a five-point victory over the Scots.
The deep ball was working for Elliott as he would finish with the team high in points with 23 on seven of 14 shooting from long range. Raine Rodich was close behind with 20 of his own and a team-high four assists. Korbin Heitzman led the Scots with seven rebounds and Logan St. Martin recorded a game-high two blocks.
Alma will continue their home stand with another matchup against a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin team in #8 Carthage College. The Scots will host the Firebirds on Saturday, November 15th at 11:00 AM, part of a busy Saturday on the campus of Alma College. The men's basketball team is also partnering with "A Kid Again" as they host a toy drive heading into the holiday season. All fans that donate a toy will be admitted free of charge to the game and other athletic events happening on campus that day as well.
