Albion, Mich. - Freshman Ryan Stevens (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) scored with five seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Alma College men's basketball team to an 89-87 victory over Albion College on Saturday (Jan. 21) at Kresge Gymnasium. The Scots improved to 8-9 overall and 4-2 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association with the victory, while Albion fell to 5-12 and 2-4 in league play.

Alma led, 85-78, with 1:38 to play after senior Trevor Gernaat (McBain, Mich./Northern Michigan Christian/Mid-Michigan CC) hit a pair of free throws. The Britons' Jason Zahron responded with seven straight points to tie the game at 85-85 with 38 seconds on the clock before Gernaat gave Alma an 87-85 lead after a pair of free throws. Zahron tied it again with 14 seconds left, then after Stevens hit the shot to put Alma ahead, 89-87, Zahron heaved a last-second three-point shot that caromed off of the rim.

"Any time you come out of Albion with a win it's a reason to rejoice," Head Coach Sam Hargraves said. "But, we've got to figure out how to compete defensively for a full game."

Gernaat netted a game-high 27 points, hitting six of his 15 shots - including four three-pointers - and was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line. Senior Tyler Edwards (Flint, Mich./Swartz Creek) scored a career-high 24 points and pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season, while freshman Preston Laketa (Concord, Mich./Hanover-Horton) scored 13 points and grabbed a season-high 11 boards for his first career double-double.

Alma shot 46.2 percent from the floor and out rebounded the Britons, 42-38, including 10-7 on the offensive glass.

Corey Wheeler paced Albion with 20 points.

The Scots held a 42-34 lead at the half and led by as many as 13 points in the second half, holding a 49-36 advantage with over 17 minutes to play, before Albion went on a 19-6 run to tie the game at 55-55 with just over 12 minutes remaining. From that point, the two teams played a tight game, leading to the eventful final 90 seconds of play.

Alma continues its three-game road trip, traveling to Olivet College on Wednesday, Jan. 25, for a 7:30 p.m. contest.