ANGOLA, Ind.– Looking to rebound after opening conference play earlier in the week, the Alma College men's basketball team again hit the road for a date with the Thunder of Trine University on Saturday, January 10th. The Scots and Thunder fought throughout the game staying within several possessions of each other though the Thunder came away with the win, 94-80.
After Alma opened the game with the first basket, Trine scored the next eight points unanswered to take their first small lead of the game followed by an answer by the Scots. Trine would continue to hold a lead throughout the first quarter as each offense converted on trips down the floor leading to the lead not changing much as the points rose for each team. Alma brought the game to a 16-16 tie with nine minutes left in the first half, looking to take their first lead since the opening minute of play. Four straight threes along with an and-one play put the Thunder back up by 15 before Alma scored their next two points from the tie. Eight swift unanswered points brought the Scots deficit back into single digits as Alma had their eyes locked on closing the gap before halftime. Another brief run by the Scots, 9-1, in favor of the visitors brought the game within one-possession with three minutes left before the half. The Thunder then scored three of the final four baskets of the half to take a 42-35 lead into the second half.
Offenses continued to convert coming out of the break, keeping the deficit around two-possessions for Alma. Trine would build it back to double digits with 15 minutes left to play though the Scots would chop it down back to two possessions just shortly after. After another scoring run from each side over the next seven minutes of play, Alma found themselves trailing by four with seven minutes left to play, looking to break their win-less skid. Trine's offense kept finding ways to convert while making a crucial stop to limit the Scots chances at sneaking out of Angola with a win. Trine would draw their lead to 19, the largest of the game, with just under three minutes left to play, dampening the Scots hopes as time began to run out. Alma knocked down several shots in the final minute though the final score would end 94-80 in favor of the home squad.
Notching his sixth double-double of the season and scoring a career-high 32 points, Korbin Heitzman led the Scots offensively throughout the contest. Heitzman and Logan St. Martin each recorded ten rebounds in the match while Raine Rodich collected a team-high five assists and added 12 points. Alma almost matched the Thunders points in the paint, scoring 44 to Trine's 46. Alma also added 20 points scored off turnovers in comparison to Trine's 21.
Alma will now host their conference home opener on Wednesday, January 14th, as they will welcome The University of Olivet to town. Tipoff for the midweek match is set for 7:00 PM.
