Delaware, Ohio - The Alma College men's basketball team picked up its first win of the 2015-16 season on Saturday (Nov. 21) afternoon, defeating Waynesburg (Pa.) by a 101-57 margin at Ohio Wesleyan's Great Lakes Challenge. Four Scots scored in double-figures, led by junior Chase Fairchild (Rockford, Mich./Rockford), who scored season-high 16 points.
Senior DJ Beckman (Shelby, Mich./Shelby) netted a season-best 15 points and went over the 1,000-point mark in his career, becoming the 11th player in Alma history to accomplish that feat. Beckman was 4-6 from the floor, including 4-5 from three-point range. Beckman scored all of his points in the second half.
Senior Scott Nikodemski (Rockford, Mich./Rockford) and sophomore Jason Beckman (Shelby, Mich./Shelby) also scored in double-figures, recording 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Scots (1-2 overall) built up a 20-point lead halfway through the opening period and never looked back, leading by 30 at the break and by as many as 47 in the second half. Alma shot .563 from the floor, making 36 of its 64 shots, and was 14-for-28 from behind the three-point line. The Scots also out rebounded Waynesburg, 44-24, while limiting the Yellow Jackets (0-3) to .327 (18-55) shooting. Junior Tyler Edwards (Flint, Mich./Swartz Creek) paced Alma with eight boards.
Alma wraps up its season-opening four-game road trip next Sunday, Nov. 29, traveling to Elmhurst, Ill., to take on eighth-ranked Elmhurst College. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. (Eastern) at R.A. Faganel Hall on the campus of Elmhurst College.
NOTES
• With his 15 points, DJ Beckman now has 1,006 career points. He is one of 11 players in Alma College history to accomplish that feat.
• Alma's 101 points is the most since December 21, 2011, when it scored 103 against Finlandia. It also marked the first time the Scots have posted 100 or more points since defeating the Lions.
• Tyler Edwards posted season-highs for points (6) and rebounds (8).
• Ethan Woelke pulled down a career-high five rebounds.
QUOTES
Head Coach Sam Hargraves
"I couldn't be happier with how we responded today after last night. The only different in the two games was our energy level and toughness. Waynesburg is a much better team than the final score. Hopefully we can continue this type of effort."