First Half Deficit Too Much to Overcome As Scots Skid at Albion 81-69
ALBION, Mich. - It's become an unfortunate hallmark of Alma basketball this season - despite a strong second half that sees the Scots go shot-for-shot with their opponents, a first half setback negates the Maroon and Cream's late-game surge. And Saturday was no different as the Scots were down by 12 at halftime 39-27 and matched the Britons shot-for-shot 42-42 in the second half.
Isaac Smith (Merrill) led the Scots with 28 points, playing a complete 40-minute game, going 11-for-19 from the field, including a 5-for-8 mark from three point range. His seven rebounds were also team-leading. Smith added six assists with four turnovers.
In the first half, Alma had the Britons in their sights with eight minutes until halftime, down by just two points when Venias Jordan (Detroit/Cody) hit a three, but the Britons proceeded to rattle off nine unanswered points in four minutes before Smith got things going again for the Scots with a three pointer at the 2:41 mark to close the gap to eight point. A Zak Silas layup for Albion, followed by the successful free throw attempt after a David McNally (Detroit/Winans Academy) foul put the Briton lead back at 11 points. Smith hit another trey to pull within eight, but two jumpers by the Brits made their lead 12 at the break.
Ryan DeHaan (Rockford) was the second-leading scorer for Alma with 16 points, going 7-for-10 from the field. Jordan added 13 points and five rebounds.
One of the keys to the game came at the free throw line. Alma got to the line just seven times in the game while sending Albion to the line on 31 occasions and the Scots converted on only 28 percent of their free throws while Albion took advantage with an 87 percent mark from the line.
Alma falls to 2-12 overall and 1-3 in the MIAA while Albion improves to 3-11, 1-3 in the league.
The Scots continue their road trip with a Wednesday (Jan. 17) game at Tri-State at 7:30 p.m.
Posted: Sat, January 13th, 2007 at 5:42PM
