By Steven Marowski, '18
ALBION, Mich. – With an upbeat tempo and a buzzing crowd on senior day, Albion College's seniors were the center piece in an 81-66 victory over Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Olivet College.
It was only fitting that seniors Jordan Herron, Dakota Kazen and Travell Oakes performed their best on senior day, giving Jody May his 100th victory as head coach of the Britons.
Herron had 15 points and 12 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. Oakes chipped in with 12 points – hitting all six of his shots – and six rebounds. Kazen produced nine points and four rebounds.
"I think the seniors came to the realization that this is almost over with," May said. "They want to leave their mark on Albion basketball. It's been a long four years, but a quick four years as well. They're all great representatives of our program, but also the college as well. All of them are good students, and they will all be very successful with everything they do after Albion."
Sophomore guard Corey Wheeler led the team with 16 points. First-year Jaylin Fordham reached double figures for the third time in four games this month with 11.
Shooting 48 percent from the floor, Albion scored more than 80 points for the second time in three games and the fifth time this season.
"I think we were trying to push the tempo a little bit," May said. "There's a fine line of playing fast but also not playing in a hurry, and we're still trying to find that middle ground."
Albion trailed by a point twice early, but Wheeler and Jason Zahran scored three points apiece during a 12-3 spurt as the Britons seized control with a 18-9 with 11 minutes left in the first half.
Fordham hit 3-point shots on consecutive possessions as Albion opened a 12-point lead, 27-15, with 6:42 left in the first half. Albion led by as many as 14 in the first half before settling for a 39-26 lead at halftime.
Please see the Albion Athletics website for the box score
Albion improved to 13-10 overall and 8-4 against MIAA rivals. The Britons begin the final week of the regular season with a home game against 13th-ranked Alma College on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.