Alma, Mich. - The Alma College men's basketball team battled back from a nine-point deficit with 8:08 remaining in the second half to defeat Adrian College, 74-70, on Wednesday (Feb. 1) night at Art Smith Arena. The Scots improved to 10-10 overall and 6-3 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association with the victory, while Adrian fell to 7-13 and 1-8 in the MIAA.

The victory gave the season series to Alma, which defeated the Bulldogs, 79-76, on January 4 at Adrian. 

Senior Trevor Gernaat (McBain, Mich./Northern Michigan Christian/Mid-Michigan CC) hit all six of his free throws and scored 14 points, including the final four of the game to secure the victory, while also collecting a team-high seven rebounds. Freshman Preston Laketa (Concord, Mich./Hanover-Horton) scored 14 points, including 11 in the first half, and hit four three-pointers, while freshman Ryan Stevens (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) netted 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the floor.

Adrian was led by Justin Webster's game-high 24 points.

The Scots held a 41-31 lead at halftime, but a 12-2 run by the Bulldogs to open the second half tied the game at 43-43 just under five minutes into the frame. Adrian built a nine-point with 8:08 to play before Alma fought back, taking the lead at 68-66 with 3:03 left after a three-pointer by freshman Luke Lamoreaux (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson).

A pair of free throws by Adrian tied the game at 68-68 before Gernaat made both of his attempts from the line to put the Scots back up by two at 70-68 with 1:55 to play. Webster tied the game again at 70-70 after a jumper with 90 seconds remaining before four straight free throws by Gernaat sealed the victory.

The Scots finished the game shooting 51 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three point range, hitting eight threes, and converted 18 of their 21 attempts from the free throw line.

Alma will return to Art Smith Arena on Saturday, Feb. 4, to host league-leading Hope College. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.