WHITTIER, Calif. – Albion College men's basketball coach Jody May insisted his team's trip to the west coast would be a business trip.

The Britons took care of business on the defensive end and it hung on for a 50-47 victory over the University of Redlands on the opening night of the Purple & Gold Poet Classic.

Robert Ryan, Travell Oakes and Jordan Herron scored baskets and Carter Elliott made a free throw as Albion went on a 7-2 run to forge a 45-36 lead with 6 ½ minutes left.

Albion had trouble scoring down the stretch, missing five shots from the field and four attempts from the free throw line and turning the ball over four times. Oakes produced the Britons' final two baskets and Zach Hurth made one of two free throws with 16 seconds left.

Redlands tried to force overtime but Sean Milligan came up empty on a pair of three-point attempts in the final eight seconds of regulation. Marco Kengott was the only Bulldog to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points.

Briton Notes

 Oakes, Herron and Corey Wheeler combined to shoot 16-of-28 (.571) from the field, but the rest of the team was 3-for-25.

Oakes produced 16 points, matching his career-high he set earlier this season against Ferris State. He also grabbed eight rebounds.

Herron fell a rebound shy of producing his second double-double of the season. He finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

The victory marked the third time Albion has limited its opponent to 47 points or less this season. Albion came in allowing the second fewest points in Division III, holding opponents to 55 ½ points per game.

Redlands connected on 34 percent of its shots from the field (17-of-50), the third worst shooting percentage by an Albion opponent this season. In fact, Albion has held eight of its nine opponents below 38 percent from the field so far this season.

Up Next

 Albion meets tournament host Whittier College on the second night of the Purple & Gold Poet Classic. Tip-off is set for 11 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday night.