ALMA, Mich. – The Adrian College men's basketball team was holding on to hope that they could have a big week to end the regular season and take the final spot in the MIAA Tournament. They needed road wins tonight at Alma and Saturday at Hope in order to secure the fourth seed. It was a tall order and the Scots could also punch a ticket into the postseason on Wednesday night at Art Smith Arena. The defensive pressure by Alma proved to be too much for the visiting Bulldogs in a 64-42 loss. The Bulldogs have been sure-handed with the ball this season but committed 16 turnovers on the night. The Scots held a 24-0 edge in points off turnovers and also took the ball inside to outscore Adrian 32-14 in the paint.

The Bulldogs (8-16, 6-7 MIAA) battled in the first half and trailed by just one at 20-19 with 7:13 left in the half. The Scots then turned up their intensity to the tune of a 19-5 run over the next six-plus minutes to gain a 39-24 lead with 16 seconds to play in the half.

The ending run in the first half really spelled the end for the Bulldogs as they cut the lead to eight points early in the second half. They saw the Scots lead quickly grow back to 48-31 with 13:18 to play and could not get under double-digits for the rest of the game. Alma torched the nets to the tune of 61.5 percent from the floor in the first half and fell back to earth at 33.3 percent in the second half. Adrian shot 37 percent in the first half and made 5-of-29 in the second half. Adrian connected on 6-of-16 from the arc and 6-of-12 at the foul line.

Jason Beckman was the surprise hero for the Scots with 22 points (9-of-11 FG) off the bench. Doug Bradfield finished with 15 points, seven boards, four blocks and four steals in 33 minutes. Rickey Jackson, Jr. and Ben Rodak each scored 11 points for the Bulldogs.