ALMA, Mich. – Jalen Loving and Caleb Mowry combined to total 43 points and 19 rebounds while powering the Elmhurst men's basketball team to its second straight victory, a 104-96 road win at Alma College.
 
Elmhurst (2-3) led for nearly the entire contest, but held off charges from Alma (1-4) in both halves to secure the victory.
 
The Bluejays raced out to a quick 14-point cushion by opening the game on a 16-2 run over the first five minutes of action. Alma stormed right back, ripping of a 20-6 over the next five minutes to pull even at 22-22. Alma built a 30-28 lead with 6:40 left in the half, but a 14-3 run from Elmhurst over the next 2:30 put the Bluejays' back in front by nine. Alma refused to go away, finishing the half on an 18-9 run to pull even at 51-51 at halftime.
 
The second half started in similar fashion as Elmhurst built a quick double-digit lead with 11 minutes left. The Bluejays maintained their double-digit cushion with just after five minutes remaining after a Loving bucket gave Elmhurst a 92-81 advantage. Elmhurst led by 10 with 1:37 left but Alma made one last run, scoring six straight points over the next 27 seconds to cut Elmhurst's lead down to four with 1:10 remaining. The Bluejays hit 7-of-10 free throws down the stretch to help put the game away.

Elmhurst shot 50.7 percent (36-of-71) from the floor, including a solid 47.8 percent (11-of-23) from three-point range. The Bluejays dominated on the glass, outrebounding Alma 47-35. The Bluejays turned 17 offensive rebounds into 22 second-chance points. Elmhurst was much better at ball control, turning the ball over a season-low 10 times in the victory. The Bluejays made the most of Alma's mistakes, cashing in 11 turnovers for 16 points.
 
Loving and Mowry provided the Bluejays a powerful 1-2 punch inside, combining for 43 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks. Loving led the way with 22 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks while shooting 10-of-14 from the floor. Mowry added 21 points, eight boards and a pair of blocks while shooting 7-of-14 from the floor. Derek Dotlich came off the bench to score 14 while Nathan Rogers pumped in 12 points and dished out nine assists in the victory. Ryan Patton knocked down 4-of-5 attempts from three-point range to finish with 12 points. Chris Parrilli added nine points and Marquis Carter scored seven for the Bluejays.
 
Alma shot 46.4 percent (32-of-69) from the field, including 39.4 percent (13-of-33) from long distance. Ryan Stevens led Alma and all scorers with a game-high 24 points while shooting 9-of-12 from the floor. Steven Harvey and Zach Sinke totaled 19 points apiece while Preston Laketa totaled 14 points and six rebounds.
 
Elmhurst kicks off CCIW play on Saturday, December 3, by hosting Wheaton College.