BEXLEY, Ohio – Returning to the hardwood for the final time in 2025, the Alma College men's basketball team rounded out their non-conference section of their schedule with a tip off against the Capital University Comets. The Scots held tight with the Comets throughout the contest, trading leads until the Comets snuck away at the end with a 91-79 win over the Scots on Tuesday, December 30th.
Capital took the first lead and opened the scoring for the game, but the Scots quickly tied it back up at fives aside with two makes from Josh Elliott and Raine Rodich. The Comets again scored next to regain their initial lead, in which they did but the Scots kept it within two possessions across the halfway point of the first half. Alma's largest deficit of the first half came with five minutes left, where Capital stretched the difference to eight points, but baskets by Korbin Heitzman, Elliott and Elijah Sykes would bring the score to within two just over a minute later. Alma would bring it within one three separate times in the final two minutes of the first half though the Comets would knock down a couple threes in the final minute of the first to go to half time leading over the Scots, 39-35.
Elliott brought the heat for the Scots opening the second half knocking down a three to bring Alma within one, opening up a half where the Scots would shoot 50% from the floor and over 50% from beyond the arc. Another quick three from Donovan Collins gave Alma their first lead of the half and since the opening minutes. The Scots would bounce between a lead of three and one for the first five minutes of the second frame until a brief run of 8-0 by the Comets would put the visitors behind again. Preston Malpass and Collins both converted on threes within a minute of each other to bring Alma in front by one again. After a pair of free throws by the hosts, Sykes knocked down a dep ball to put Alma up two, which would be their final time leading in the game. Capital found success ion a 17-4 run to take their first double-digit lead of the game with five minutes left in the game, making the Scots have to work quick for a chance at leaving with the win. Alma's success wouldn't stop offensively as they were able to convert down the stretch, though hot shooting from the Comets made the Scots offensive efforts limited as they could match the makes. Shooting 50% from the floor for the game, the Comets closed out the Scots final game of 2025 with a defeat 91-79.
Sykes offensively led the Scots with a career-high 25 points on 8-15 shooting as well as going 5-10 from beyond the arc. Heitzman followed closely behind with 19 points and a team-high ten rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Elliott added 16 points as well and Rodich collected a team-high four assists. Alma's bench outscored the Comets 46-22 in the contest, finding success throughout the lineup.
Alma will now open Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play on Wednesday, January 7th, as they will travel to #8 Calvin University. Tipoff is set for 6:00 PM at Van Noord Arena.
