ALBION, Mich. – Ryan Stevens took advantage of a breakdown in the Albion defense, penetrating the lane to a layup with 4.6 seconds left as Alma escaped Kresge Gymnasium with a 89-87 victory in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men's basketball action.

"We had a tough time making defensive stops when we needed to. We talked all game about not giving up penetration – because they are very good, scoring in the lane or kicking out for an open three – and, for the most, part we did a really good job. We just couldn't get that last stop," Albion Head Coach Jody May said. "Credit to Alma for making big plays down the stretch."

Jason Zahran, who scored Albion's final nine points – including baskets that tied the score at 85 and 87 – misfired from 3-point range as time expired.

Alma led by as many as 13 in the second half, but Albion rallied behind old-fashioned three-point plays by Corey Wheeler, Robert Ryan and Jaylin Fordham. Albion tied the score at 55 when Mitchell Rubio hit the first of two shots from the line with 12 ½ minutes to play, and the score was tied three times and the lead changed on four occasions from that point.

Game Notes

• Wheeler finished with 20 points, his fourth such game of the season. He stuffed the box score with six rebounds and four assists.
• Zahran (15), Darius Branch (13) and Aquavius Burks (11) were the other Albion starters to score in double figures.
• Alma's Trevor Gernaat led all players with 27 points, Tyler Edwards chipped in with 24 and Hanover-Horton graduate came off the bench to produce a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.
• Albion will play MIAA rivals on the road next week, traveling to Trine University for a Wednesday night game and Hope next Saturday.

"I saw a lot of nice things from our team today," May said. "Our team is getting better. I told the team not to hang their heads today because they battled back. If we stay together, we will make a run at (the MIAA Tournament."

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