Alma, MI – Alma College STUNT welcomed in Central Michigan University and the University of Kentucky on Sunday for a tripleheader. Alma defeated CMU, before narrowly missing out on a win against Kentucky.
#2 Alma 24, Central Michigan 1
Alma controlled their first game of the day from the word go. The Scots jumped out to a 4-0 advantage after the opening quarter, going on to lead 8-0 at halftime in a game where they would score the maximum possible 24 points. Alma's dominance continued into third quarter, with the Scots sweeping all four rounds to lead 12-0. CMU's lone point came in the second to last routine of the game, when the teams were awarded a tie during jumps and tumbling on routine 2. Alma walked out winners by a final of 24-1.
#2 University of Kentucky 17, #2 Alma 15
Alma's second game featured the Scots taking on Kentucky. The Wildcats (Division I) and Scots (Club) were each ranked at #2 in the nation in their respective categories, and the game lived up the billing of a heavyweight throwdown between two of the top teams in the country.
Alma claimed the opening point of the game on routine 4, and took a 2-0 advantage after a challenged call was overturned. The Scots went on to take a 3-2 lead after the first quarter. Alma opened the second by flipping a routine 8 called by Kentucky to take a 4-2 lead. The call would stand after an unsuccessful Wildcat challenge. UK took the next point to drop the gap to one, and the teams tied out the remaining two routines to send Alma to halftime with a 6-5 lead.
Out of the half, Kentucky showed their strength as a team in tumbling. The Wildcats scored on the first three possessions of the quarter to take an 8-7 lead, their first of the game. With Alma managing to tie one routine, and steal the final routine of the period, the game was tied 8-8 heading into the final quarter. The first routine of the quarter tied out at 2-2, but Kentucky outscored Alma 3-2 on routine 8 to take a 13-12 lead. The Wildcats would pad that lead on the ensuing call four, winning the routine 3-1 to go up 16-13. Trailing by three, Alma needed a sweep of the final possession to force overtime. The Scots managed to take two of the three possible points, but Kentucky did just enough to earn one point and seal the deal.
In a game that featured two ties, and three lead changes, both teams did well in limiting their opposition within their comfort zone. The Scots converted on 50% of their possessions compared to Kentucky's 62.5%. The only routine that went uncalled in the entire game was routine seven.
Alma moves to 3-1, and the win over CMU gives them their 2
nd Club Division victory at 2-0. The Scots are back in action on Saturday at Saint Mary's.