UW-La Crosse Stops Albion

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ALBION, Mich. – Kenny Finco and Ben Meinholz combined for nine points during a 13-4 run in the second half to boost the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to a 64-61 victory over Albion College in non-league men's basketball action.

Trailing 40-32 five minutes into the second half, Darius Branch hit a pair of shots as Albion reeled off a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to two. The Britons forged a tie at 45 on Arshawn Parker's basket with seven minutes to play.

Albion never gained the lead as the visiting Eagles scored on their next five possessions. Albion never got closer than five the rest of the way.

"I knew the toughest team would end up winning the game," Albion Head Coach Jody May said, frustrated by Wisconsin-La Crosse's 13 offensive rebounds. "We played good defense, forced tough shots, but they came up with the rebound."

Branch and Kirk Douglas finished with 13 points apiece for Albion. Douglas completed his first double-double at Albion with 10 rebounds. Jaylin Fordam and Corey Wheeler also scored in double figures with 12 and 11, respectively. Aquavius Burks fell just shy of a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.

Wisconsin-La Crosse placed three players in double figures. Austin Fritz led all players with 15 points. Zach Schradle finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Meinholz contributed 11. Ryan Kruser added 11 points off the bench.

Albion (2-3 overall) will take a break for final examinations, returning to action next Saturday against Division II Northwood University.

"We are hanging with some good teams, and eventually I think we'll get over the hump," May said. "We will practice hard Thursday and Friday and get ready to play Northwood."