Slow-starting Airedales fall at home

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

 

Alma’s been able to keep the game close for a half in each of the team’s 5A-West games. 

 

But the third quarter has been a different animal. 

 

Alma spotted Van Buren a 24-6 lead Tuesday night before closing the half with a 15-2 scoring run. 

 

But after pulling to within four (28-24) early in the second half, the Pointers closed the third quarter on a 17-7 run and pulled away for a 61-46 victory at Charles B. Dyer Arena. 

 

Alma (3-9, 0-2) travels to Greenbrier Friday to face the Panthers at 6 p.m. The girl's game will follow. 

 

Van Buren (10-6, 3-1) never trailed while leading by as many as 19 points. 

 

Hunter McAlister’s six first-quarter points accounted for all of Alma’s points in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Airedales got within 26-21 at the half thanks to Stewart George’s late foul shot. 

 

Alma’s run was eventually 20-6 thanks to Logan Taylor’s put-back with 5:20 left in the third quarter. 

 

But the Pointers ripped off nine straight points for a 39-26 lead. Alma got no closer than 11 the rest of the way. 

 

Matthew Schlegel led the Airedales with a career-high 15 points. McAlister finished with 10.

 

Van Buren 38, Alma 31 

 

GIRLS — Presli Taylor hit for 14 points to lead the Lady Airedales Tuesday night but it wasn’t enough as Van Buren held on for a 38-31 victory in 5A-West play, the Lady Pointers’ first conference win. 

 

Alma trailed 12-8 at the half and fell behind 21-10 early in the second half before closing to within 21-17 on Taylor’s 3-pointer. 

 

Alma was just 4-of-24 from beyond the arc. 

 

Van Buren (6-9, 1-3) built a 27-17 lead with 6:26 left before the Lady Airedales clawed their way back to within four (31-27) with 48.5 left. 

 

Alma (7-8, 0-3) travels to Greenbrier Friday.