San Antonio, Texas - Playing in the first of two games at Trinity University's Holiday Basketball Classic, the Alma College men's basketball team scored a season-high 113 points en route to a 113-97 victory over Mary Hardin-Baylor. With the win, the Scots extended their winning streak to four games and have won five of their last six outings.
Five Scots were in double figures, led by sophomore Jason Beckman (Shelby, Mich./Shelby), who netted a career-high 25 points. Sophomore Kevin Gamble (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Sacred Heart) also posted a career-high with 17 points, scoring in double figures for the first time in his collegiate career, and added a career-best 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.
The Scots scored nine of the game's first 11 points and never looked back, amassing a 29-point lead at halftime behind senior DJ Beckman (Shelby, Mich./Shelby), who scored all of his 17 points in the first half. Jason Beckman added 16 of his points in the first dream as Alma shot lights-out, hitting 25 of its 40 shots (.625), including 12 three pointers.
In the second half, the Scots were up by as many as 38 points before emptying their bench. Every Alma player on the trip saw action in the contest.
The Scots shot over .500 for the fifth time in the last six games, making 41 of their 77 shots, and dished out 31 assists, led by senior Scott Nikodemski (Rockford, Mich./Rockford), who tied a career-high with 10 helpers. Alma also posted a season-high 45 rebounds.
Shon Lewis came off the bench to lead Mary Hardin-Baylor (3-3 overall) with 18 points as six. Crusaders scored in double figures.
The Scots continue their playing the Trinity Holiday Classic on Sunday, Dec. 20, facing No. 25 Texas Lutheran. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. (Eastern) at Sams Gymnasium on the Trinity campus in San Antonio.
NOTES
• Alma's 113 points is a season high and the most since scoring 115 against Huntington during the 1990-91 campaign.
• The Scots have shot .500 or better from the floor in five of their last six games.
• Alma's 45 rebounds and 31 assists are both season highs.
• The 64 points scored by the Scots in the first half is the most points Alma has scored in any half this season.
• The Scots hit a season-high 19 three-pointers while taking a season-high 39 attempts.
• Jason Beckman's 25 points were a career-best and the third time in his career he has scored 20 or more points. Beckman also tallied a career-high six assists.
• Scott Nikodemski recorded 10 assists to tie a career-high. He has posted 10 helpers twice in his career, with the last taking place on Nov. 18, 2014, against Spring Arbor. Nikodemski also scored seven points, snapping an eight-game streak where he had scored 10 or more points.
• Adam Abraham made his collegiate debut, playing three minutes.
• Kevin Gamble set career-highs for points (17) and rebounds (11) and notched his first career double-double. Gamble also established a career-high with two assists and tied career marks for steals (2) and blocks (1).
• Doug Bradfield netted a season-high 16 points, including a career-high four three-point shots. Bradfield added two blocks and moved into a tie with Sam Machuta (2006-09) for fourth place on Alma's career blocking list. Both have 61 blocks.
QUOTES
Head Coach Sam Hargraves
"I was very happy with our focus and energy to start the game. We could have had a couple travel-related excuses to come out flat. This was a total team effort, which is what we're always striving for. Tomorrow (against No. 25 Texas Lutheran) will be a major test and a great opportunity."