ADRIAN, Mich. – Albion College rode an impressive first half effort to top Adrian College 70-56 Saturday afternoon and remain tied with Calvin College and Hope College atop the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association standings.
Trine University, which sported a 2-1 record in league play entering Saturday action, met Alma College in a contest that tipped at 7 o'clock.
The Britons received contributions from a number of players. For the 16th time in as many games, at least eight players put points on the board for the Britons, and the Albion bench contributed 25 points.
"We are at our best when we have balanced scoring," May said. "We're about sharing the basketball."
Travell Oakes, Zach Hurth, Vince Hill, and Jordan Herron all scored in double digits. Herron also notched his fifth double-double of the season with an 11 point, 12 rebound performance.
May has made it clear that he wants his team to attack the basket and get shots from the paint, and that strategy has been paying off. The Britons shot 50 percent from the field and the Bulldogs had no choice but to send Albion to the free-throw line consistently — the Britons finished 23-for-32 (72 percent) from the charity stripe.
"Our energy and focus in the first half was really good," May said of his squad that led by 29 points late in the first half. "Our defense was really good and we were clicking offensively. We came out swinging and Adrian didn't respond. Coaches are always worried about a hangover after a big win. It was a good way to start."
Adrian jumped out to a 5-4 lead after a slow start for both teams but a three-pointer by Vince Hill sparked a 24-0 run for the Britons, who would enter half-time with a 40-13 lead. The Bulldogs would chip away at the difference throughout the second half but the lead Albion had built was simply insurmountable.
"We didn't have the same energy and focus in the second half," May said. "We need to work on consistency. We'll take any win on the road and run."
Albion, 9-6 overall, will look to extend its winning streak Tuesday when it travels to Olivet for a 7:30 p.m. contest.