KYLE SCHECK
PHOTOGRAPHER
MEGAN NEELEY
COPY EDITOR
1/23/2023
Out with the old and in with the new. Scots, it’s time for some basketball. Now that football – with its season full of victories – is over, the time has come to focus on the triumphs of Alma College basketball.
The Alma College Men’s Basketball team has had many personal victories, as well as team victories. So far this season, they have faced tough competition while winning four games and losing ten games.
“We are still figuring things out and learning what works and what doesn’t. We have a lot of potential though, and I am hopeful that we will begin to turn things around during the rest of the season,” said Colton Meister (‘24).
In a significant game against Grace Christian, where Alma College ended the victorious game in triple digits for the first time since 2017, Landen Moore-Pierce (‘23) set a new program record for single game threes.
In this game, Moore-Pierce put up nine three pointers. This topped the previous record belonging to Isiah Law of eight threes in a single game from 2017 .
Additionally, Meister notably tied the Men’s Basketball program record for single game blocks in their game against Otterbein. Meister tied the 2007 record of seven blocks in a single game. This record was last tied in 2015 but has continued to stand for about 16 years. “It felt good to tie the record. I was surprised after the game when they told me,” said Meister.
“It is crazy to see all these records being tied or broken. Alma hasn’t always had the most athletic recognition in the MIAA, but since football season we can all… see that changing,” said Cole Pearson (‘25).
“From the perspective of a student-athlete in a different sport, it has been really cool to see the support the basketball team is getting this year and I hope it will carry over to lacrosse and other sports too,” said Pearson.
Inner-sport support from multiple teams has been on the rise at Alma, and it has been especially evident this basketball season. For instance, the Alma College Swim and Dive team recently supported the men’s basketball team at Olivet College.
Although the game did not end in Alma’s favor, “it was really cool to be able to go and support our men’s basketball team at Olivet. I was really able to see how they worked as a team, even when the game wasn’t going their way,” said Matthew Arrigoni (‘24).
With National Girls and Women in Sports Day around the corner on Feb. 1, it is very fitting to recognize and celebrate the successes and achievements of the Alma College Women’s Basketball team, too.
The Women’s Basketball team recently defeated the Olivet College Comets on Jan. 14 with a final score of 73 points over Olivet’s 62 points.
“Basketball season has been full of competition, and I am really looking forward to the conference tournament,” said Madison Robbins (‘23), a senior basketball player for the Alma College Women’s team. The conference tournament will conclude the 2022-2023 season.
The Women’s Basketball team also recently visited the Nike World Headquarters with Ed Osowski, an Alma College alum and Board of Trustee member.
“Visiting the Nike Headquarters was very inspiring. We were able to see how hard work in athletics pays off, whether that be on the court or off,” said Robbins.
Finally, the basketball games would not be the same without the Alma College Spirit Squad or the Alma College Dance Team. At this season’s home games, what players and students are most excited for, “the atmosphere in [the Art Smith Arena has been] so energetic,” said Robbins.
“I think the games are always really fun no matter the outcome. We’re all there to cheer on the basketball teams and help everyone have a great time and get pumped up,” said Anika Ried (‘23), a member of the Alma College Dance Team.
Be sure to attend the coming Alma College basketball games to see the Scots in action as they take on their next tough competitors. For more information on the rest of this year’s highlights visit the Alma Scots’ website.
