LMA, Mich. – Welcoming in a preseason top 10 team in the nation, the Alma College men's basketball team played host to #8 Carthage College on Saturday, November 15th, for their annual "A Kid Again" toy drive game. The Scots fought throughout the contest though the Firebirds would come away with an across lake win 79-60.
Carthage scored the first eight points of the game before Korbin Heitzman put the Scots on the board. The Firebirds were able to stretch their lead to double digits in the first seven minutes, where the lead would also stand for the next seven or so minutes. Alma was able to put the Firebirds back on their toes with a Scots 9-0 run to bring the score within two again, holding Carthage scoreless for two minutes of action. Carthage ultimately scored a basket to end their scoreless drought, but Alma responded with a layup from Raine Rodich, followed by a three from Elijah Sykes, which would put the Scots up by one for their first lead of the game over a preseason tournament favorite. Carthage would tie the game with a free throw before taking the lead on a second make as well, followed by a two before the buzzer to lead Alma 35-32 at the half.
Carthage opened the half with five straight before Donovan Collins knocked down a three to mitigate the Firebirds hot start. As baskets were traded between both squads, the Scots held their own and kept the Firebirds within reach in the opening five minutes of the second half, looking for an upset heading down the stretch. Carthage had other plans as they held the Scots scoreless for four minutes building up to a 17-0 run to pull away from Alma with ten minutes remaining. The Scots struggled to chip away at the deficit that the Firebirds created as Carthage was able to show why they are a nationally ranked team following last season's success.
Leading the Scoring for the Scots was freshman Sykes, tallying 17 in the contest, followed by Rodich with 11. Heitzman recorded his first game of the season with double digit rebounds as he collected 11. Rodich recorded two assists and two steals as well in the game.
Alma will look to rebound from their rocky start as they head to Manchester University in Indiana on Wednesday, November 19th, for a 7:30 PM tip off.
