Alma, Mich. - The Alma College men's basketball team dropped a 104-96 decision to visiting Elmhurst College on Sunday (Nov. 27) afternoon at Art Smith Arena. Freshman Ryan Stevens(Lowell, Mich./Lowell) led the Scots with a game-high 24 points as five Alma freshmen scored in double figures.

The Scots (1-4 overall) were forced into a different lineup due to injuries, and played five freshmen on the floor for a significant portion of the game. Besides Stevens' season-high for points, freshman Steven Harvey (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ada) netted a season-high 19 points, while freshman Zach Sinke (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven) came off the bench to score 19 points - including a game-high five three-pointers - in his collegiate debut.

Freshman Preston Laketa (Concord, Mich./Hanover-Horton) scored 14 points in his first college game, while freshman Luke Lamoreaux (Sterling Heights, Mich./Steventon) scored 12 and added a game-high 11 assists. Laketa, along with junior Kevin Scheibert (Sanford, Mich./Sanford-Meridian), paced the Scots with six rebounds each.

Elmhurst (2-3) was led by Jalen Loving's 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Caleb Mowry scored 21 as the Bluejays shot 50.7 percent from the floor, including 47.8 percent (11-23) from three-point range, and out-rebounded Alma by a 47-35 margin.

The Scots overcame an early 12-point deficit in the first half as Elmhurst opened the game with a 16-2 run, but battled back to tie the game at 51-51 entering halftime. The Bluejays surged ahead early in the second half and built a 10-point lead with just under 12 minutes remaining, but Alma could not overtake Elmhurst down the stretch.

Alma hit 32 of its 69 shots (46.4 pct.) and shot 39.4 percent from behind the three-point line, making 13 of its 33 attempts. 

The Scots will travel to North Park University (IL) on Wednesday, Nov. 30, for a non-conference game. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. (Eastern).