SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Albion College men's basketball coach Jody May said the Britons didn't score any style points in their 61-57 victory over local rival Spring Arbor University. However, he wasn't willing to discount the importance of pulling a game out on the road.
"I think we beat a good team on the road," May said. "It was an ugly game. Spring Arbor is a good, quality team. They are 9-4 for a reason.
"I'm really happy we won, but we definitely need to work on some things," May added.
One of the things Albion will take from the victory is learning how to throw the knockout punch. Vince Hill produced two baskets and Jordan Herron and Travell Oakes added baskets of their own during an 8-0 run as Albion built a 29-18 lead with six minutes left in the first half. Spring Arbor answered with a 13-5 run to trim the Briton lead to 34-31 at halftime.
Corey Wheeler knocked down a pair of three-point shots early in the second half to help Albion extend the margin to seven, 43-36.
Greg Hamilton hit a pair of free throws to cap Spring Arbor's 11-2 run as the Cougars seized a 47-45 lead with less than eight minutes to play.
Albion scored the next nine points and it never trailed again. Herron knocked down a hook shot in the middle of the lane, Zach Hurth produced a second-chance and Hill scored five points on a pair of baskets.
Albion kept giving Spring Arbor opportunities to catch up late as it shot 44 percent (7-of-16) from the free throw line for the game. The Britons went 5-of-12 in the final three minutes, including two misses on the front end of the 1&1.
Briton Notes
Hill scored in double figures for the second time in his Albion career. He knocked down 5-of-7 shots from the field to match his career high of 12 points.
Hurth scored a season-high 12 points, also scoring on 5-of-7 shots from the field.
Herron grabbed the most important rebound of the game. He pulled down the board on Wheeler's free throw miss with 21 seconds left. Spring Arbor fouled Dakota Kazen, who knocked down two free throws to give the Britons a 61-55 cushion with 16 seconds left.
Carter Elliott collected three of Albion's five blocks.
Albion entered the game ranked ninth among Division III teams in field goal percentage defense. The Britons will continue among the national leaders after Spring Arbor shot 33 percent (19-of-57). The Cougars connected on 27 percent of their shots from the field in the second half.
Up Next
Albion (5-2 overall) will complete its pre-Christmas schedule Thursday with a home date against the College of Mount Saint Joseph. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.