ANGOLA, Ind. – After watching his team absorb a season-opening 91-77 loss to eighth-ranked Ohio Wesleyan University, Albion College Head Coach Jody May said the result was a matter of experience.

"It helps having junior and seniors like Ohio Wesleyan," May said. "Our inexperience really showed."

Will Orr knocked down a 3-point basket and Ben Simpson provided four points in the paint as Ohio Wesleyan jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never trailed.

"Ohio Wesleyan is a very good team and we let them be the aggressor," May said. "We knew they would be aggressive coming in, but with inexperienced guys, you can tell them all you want, but until they experience, and eventually learn, this is a different level. You have to bring it every night and every possession."

Ohio Wesleyan misfired on three shots from long range, and Albion ripped off a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 21-16 midway through the first half. Darius Branch, Caden Ebeling and Mitchell Rubio – three newcomers to the Briton program – produced baskets during the run.

Aquavius Burks knocked down a pair of free throws to pull Albion within four, but that was as close as the Britons would get.

Orr and Erick Bryant scored from behind the arc as Ohio Wesleyan repelled the Albion run as the margin ballooned to 30-21. Ohio Wesleyan went on a 16-6 run over the final six minutes of the half to hold a 48-32 halftime lead.

Ohio Wesleyan, shooting 52 percent from the field for the game, maintained the double-digit lead throughout the second half. Simpson led all players with 21 points, while Orr and Nate Axelrod chipped in with 20 points apiece. Seth Clark added 17 points and seven assists.

Jaylin Fordham hit 4 of 7 from 3-point range and on all five free throw shots to match his career-high with 27 points. Ebeling and Branch added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Albion returns to Angola for a 2 p.m. Saturday game against Kenyon (Ohio) College.