Junior Konnor Baker makes two free throws with 2.1 seconds left to lift Men's Basketball past Alma (Mich.) 69-67 in season opener

By Ashley Birchmeier

ADA — Junior Konnor Baker made two free throws with 2.1 seconds left to lift Ohio Northern men's basketball to 69-67 season opening victory over Alma (Mich.) Saturday evening at the ONU Sports Center.

The Polar Bears improve to 1-0 overall, while Alma falls to 0-1.

Baker posted a game-high 21 points, while freshman Ryan Bruns earned his first career double-double pulling down 12 rebounds and scoring 14 points.

The Polar Bears would out score the Scots in the final two minutes 8-2, erasing a 65-61 deficit en route to the 69-67 victory. 

"I'm very proud of the way we hung in there," ONU head coach Kevin Byrne said. "We kept battling and made some plays down the stretch. Bruns' 3-point play was huge and then Devon hit a big 3-pointer for us. Konnor then made a nice move and got fouled and made the free throws to close it out. We knew that Alma was a talented team and this was a nice way for us to open the season - with a victory over a quality opponent."

After exchanging points for much of the first half, Ohio Northern sophomore Grant Pepper was able to spark an ONU 8-0 rally to put the Polar Bears on top 21-14 with 7:37 remaining in the half.

The Polar Bear defense held Alma scoreless for nearly six minutes before the Scots were able to string together a pair of field goals to pull within 23-20.

Alma would end the half on a 12-4 run, taking a 32-27 halftime advantage.

Northern shot just 33 percent from the field in the first half, while the Scots were 52 percent and connected on five three-pointers.

After falling behind 38-32 in the second half, the Polar Bears were able to put together a 7-0 rally led by Bruns to put ONU on top 39-38 with 15:08 remaining in the contest. 

The Scots continued to battle as they were able to regain the lead minutes later 44-41.

Baker would connect on his third three-pointer of the contest with 12:10 remaining to tie the contest at 44-44.

Bruns would go on to score the next four points for the Polar Bears, putting them on top 48-44 with 11:03 remaining.

With 6:08 remaining in the contest, the Scots would tie the game once more at 58-58.

Alma would go on to take the 65-61 advantage with 2:00 to go.

Bruns would convert a 3-point play to pull the Polar Bears within 65-64 with 1:46 left, but the Scots would get a basket by D.J. Beckman with 1:28 left to go up 67-64.

With 31 seconds remaining, junior Devon Allen would connect on his third three-pointer of the contest to tie the game at 67-67.

After a huge stop by the Polar Bear defense, Baker would connect on a pair of free throws with just 2.1 seconds remaining to propel ONU to the 69-67 victory.

Northern made 24-of-68 field goal attempts for 35.3 percent and made 9-of-26 from 3-point range for 34.6 percent, while Alma would make 24-of-53 field goals for 45.3 percent.

ONU would force 24 AC turnovers, but the Scots out-rebounded the Polar Bears 49-33.

Scott Nikodemski scored 17 points and Doug Bradfield had 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead Alma.

The Polar Bears return to action Friday as they travel to Rochester (N.Y.) and take on Vassar (N.Y.) at 3 pm at the Rochester Invitational.