By Jimmy McCumber

Dave Singleton overcame a cold night to hit the big shots as the Albright College men's basketball team held off Hood, 63-57 in the Bollman Center.

The fifth-year senior was just 1-for-12 on the night with the Lions trailing 57-55 and under the two minutes to play. Undeterred, he pulled down a rebound and went coast-to-coast for a runner that tied things up with 1:40 left to play.

Hood missed at the other end and Singleton drilled a step-back jumper with 45 seconds remaining that represented the winning points. He would also add two free throws in the final seconds to finish with 10 points on the day (along with nine rebounds, four assists and three steals).

Albright's other point guard Sam Marrella had a good outing, totaling six points and seven assists. Juniors Kyle Jordan (13 points, nine rebounds, three blocks) and Pedro Perez (12 points) were in double-figures, and senior Cornell Mickens added eight points on 3-of-5 shooting (including two huge three-point plays).

A sluggish first half ended 25-18 in Albright's favor. Jordan's put-back, on his second offensive rebound of the possession, tied it at 6-6 early.

Marrella put Albright up 16-10 with an arching 20-footer, and then 18-14 with a drive through traffic to beat the shot clock. He then fed Zach Benjamin with a nice pass over the top to put the Lions ahead 21-14.

Early in the second half Marrella fed Perez for a three-pointer, and then answered Davon Hill's backdoor cut to make it 30-22 Lions.

The Blazers rallied back, tying the game at 33-all on Justin Bowens' jumper and inching ahead on Trey Quinn's free throw.

Mickens came up big at this point, stealing the ball and converting an and-one at the other end for a 36-34 lead. After Bowens responded with a hand in his face, Mickens converted another three-point play for a 39-36 Red and White advantage.

The Lions kept pressing, with Singleton's steal leading to a pair of Jordan free throws and then a 10-second violation on the Blazers. Singleton came alive at this point, converting a hesitation shot on the break and then hitting Calvert Gantz with a great bounce pass for a 47-38 advantage.

Quinn (14 points), Bowens (13 points) and Justin Stone (10 points, 10 rebounds) were all in double-figures for Hood.

Albright improves to 12-2, 5-2 and moves into a tie for first place in the Commonwealth Conference following Lycoming's 90-86 loss to Lebanon Valley. The Lions will face those teams in a tough two-game stretch, traveling to LVC on Saturday before hosting Lyco next Wednesday night.