KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The temperature outside in the state of Michigan were way below freezing on Saturday, January 24th, in the midst of one of the coldest fronts to come through the state in some time, but the Scots found some success and heated up en route to a 79-65 win over the Kalamazoo College Hornets in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play. The Scots found double-digit scoring numbers including a career high for some newer faces.
Alma opened the game with the first two baskets coming from Elijah Sykes and Joss Bradley, putting the Scots up four before a Hornet three brought the lead to one. Alma continued to hold the lead from the beginning of the game as each team traded offensive makes. Alma was able to draw their lead out to six at the 15-minute mark, looking to begin pulling away early from the Hornets. Kalamazoo would continue to keep the pressure on the Scots as each team looked to score a much-needed conference win over one another. The Scots again dragged the lead out to eight with nine minutes left in the first, but again the Hornets stung back and brought the lead back down to a two-possession game. Alma's largest lead of the half came with three minutes left as the Scots were knocking on the doorstep of double-digits with a nine-point lead, though a game of runs was prevalent as the Hornets would go on an 8-0 run following the Scots make to bring the score within one with a minute left in the half. Alma retaliated with a 6-0 run of their own to take a 35-28 lead into halftime, creating some slight breathing room at the break.
Alma came out of the locker room with some heat on a frigid day as the Scots opened the second half with a 13-0 run which included a trio of three-pointers, pushing their lead all the way to 20 with 17 minutes left to play. Following a layup make by the Hornets, the Scots added another 11 points, again on three baskets from beyond the arc to pull the lead to 29, almost doubling the total points for the Kalamazoo team on the day. Kalamazoo wasn't ready to be done though as an 11-2 run from the hornets brought them back down 20 with 11 minutes to play, with momentum slowing drifting their way. For the next five minutes, Alma was able to keep the Hornets at that 20-point mark, slowly limiting a comeback bid for the home team. With two minutes left to play, Kalamazoo would drop their deficit below 20 for the rest of the game, but time was running out for any chance of flipping the game script. On a final make of the game, Kalamazoo brought the game to the lowest deficit since the beginning of the second half as Alma was able to run away with a79-65 win over the Hornets for their first MIAA win of the season.
Sykes had a career day for the Scots putting up a career-high 32 on 12 of 14 shooting from the floor and 7-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Heitzman added his share for 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for nis ninth double-double of the season. Bradley added 12 more for Alma including a career-high nine assists for the guard while collecting eight rebounds in the contest as well. Alma also added ten second chance points in the contest, along with 28 points coming in the paint.
Alma now turns their attention towards Adrian College who they will host inside Art Smith Arena on Wednesday, January 28th for more MIAA action. Tip off for the home contest will be at 7:00 PM.
