ALMA, Mich. – Returning to home court for the first time in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play, the Alma College men's basketball team hosted The University of Olivet on Wednesday, January 14th. The Scots battled endlessly all night and brought a dramatic ending, though the Comets were able to run away with an eight-point win with the final score of 77-69.
The Comets knocked down the first bucket of the game with a layup in the paint, followed by the Scots taking their first lead of the game on a three from Josh Elliott. Korbin Heitzman knocked down an early jumper followed by two separate threes from Elliott and Joss Bradley, putting Alma up nine in the first five minutes of play. Olivet was able to tie the game up five minutes later and retaking the lead on another layup. Teams would trade the lead between each other throughout the next five minutes as neither side grew a lead more than one possession, putting on an exciting show. Olivet was able to build a six-point lead with three minutes left in the first half, which would hold until under a minute remaining. Neither team would score for a two-minute period until a layup from Donovan Collins broke the silence and brought the Scots within four heading into halftime, 31-27.
Picking up where they left off from the prior half, Olivet scored early with responses from the Alma offense, keeping the deficit the same early on. The Comets were able to stretch a lead to double digits with 15 minutes remaining, which would extend to 16, the largest of the game, just three minutes later. The Scots offense was able to come back to life at the halfway point of the second half as a 9-0 run led by Heitzman and Bradley brought the Scots right back into the thick of it. The Comets again would let their lead hoover around double digits, forcing to Scots to act soon. Knowing time was ticking, the Scots ran a 7-0 run in just under two minutes to pull within three with under five minutes left to play, bringing the Art Smith Arena to life and pulling the crowd into the action. Alma would pull within one off a Heitzman and-one with three minutes left to play. Trailing 68-69, a couple free throws and a three put the Comets back up by a handful, and a lone free throw would be the Scots final point of the night, though the drama in the final minute proved for an exciting atmosphere in a tightly contested matchup. Olivet was able to walk away with a 77-69 win sending the Scots to 0-3 in MIAA play.
Heitzman added another double-double for his seventh of the season scoring 24 points and hauling in 15 rebounds, both of which were game-highs. Heitzman also added three assists in the game. Elijah Sykes scored another 16 for the Scots while adding two steals as well. Collins added ten to round out the double-digit scorers as well. Alma outscored the Comets in second chance points 16-6 as well as points off the bench, 27-17. The Scots also won the rebounding battle for the night, 36-25 in an evenly contested match.
Alma will now prepare for Hope College, who they will play next back on the road on Saturday, January 17th, in Holland, Michigan. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 PM inside the DeVos Fieldhouse.
