ALMA, Mich. – Alma College started the second half on a 9-0 run and it never trailed again as the 21st-ranked team in Division III knocked off Albion College, 75-64, in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men's basketball action.
Travell Oakes and Corey Wheeler produced 13 points apiece to power Albion to a 38-34 halftime lead.
Doug Bradfield, DJ Beckman and Scott Nikodemski scored layups and Chase Fairchild buried a 3-point shot as Alma built a 43-38 lead in the opening minutes of the second half.
Albion crept within a point twice, but it was unable to pull ahead.
Alma delivered the knockout punch with a 9-2 run. Tyler Edwards scored a pair of baskets as the Scots extended the margin to 64-55 with 6:25 to play.
Albion finished plus 10 in rebounds, but it shot 39 percent (24-of-62) from the field. Wheeler led all players with 18 points, while Oakes led the starting unit with 16. Dakota Kazen chipped in with 11 and Jordan Herron produced his sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Alma, winners of eight in a row to improve to 13-4 overall and 6-0 against MIAA rivals, had five score in double figures. Gernaat led the way with 13, DJ and Jason Beckman finished with 12 apiece, and Bradfield and Nikodemski chipped in with 10 apiece.
Albion, 8-9 overall and 3-3 against league rivals, completes the first round of the league schedule Wednesday with a home date against Trine University.
