HOLLAND, Mich. – Albion College's nine-point second half lead melted, but the Britons didn't wilt under the heat of playing in front of more than 3,000 assembled in the DeVos Fieldhouse. Kolin Kazen and J.C. Cruse converted old-fashioned three-point plays to spark an 8-3 run to force overtime, and Kazen finished a fastbreak layup with two seconds left in overtime as Albion scored a 78-76 victory over Hope College.

It was Albion's first victory in Holland since Jan. 12, 2005 and its first win at the DeVos Fieldhouse which opened in time for the 2005-2006 campaign.

Albion Coach Jody May delivered a simple message during a timeout with three minutes remaining and the Britons trailing 64-59.

"I told the guys they had to believe," May said. "They easily could have put their heads down, but they kept battling. Hope may have helped us out by missing some shots."

Cruse's three-point play tied the score at 64 with 1:17 left, and Albion surged to a 67-65 lead on Kazen's three-point play with 43 seconds remaining.

David Krombeen extended the game by knocking down a jumper with 34 seconds left.

Hope ripped off a 7-1 run to begin the overtime period, but Albion never let Hope run away.

"We had an answer every time Hope tried to go on a run," May said.

Baskets by Anthony Wash and Chris Hutton drew Albion within two. Wash's layup tied the score at 76, and Kazen's fastbreak layup provided the winning margin.

Hutton led the Britons with 17 points, Wash established a career-high with 16, and Kazen finished with 12.

Hope's Will Bowser led all players with 20 points.

Albion (14-10 overall, 8-5 MIAA) remains tied with Calvin College for second place in the league standings. The second place teams will square off at 3 p.m. Saturday inside Kresge Gymnasium.