ALMA, Mich. – Mitchell Rubio and Corey Wheeler combined for nine points during an 11-0 run in which Albion College seized the lead in would not relinquish as it scored a 70-67 victory over Alma College Wednesday night.
The victory, Albion's fifth in a row, pushed the Britons into a tie for fourth place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association standings going into the final day of the regular season. Albion, 10-14 overall and 7-6 against MIAA rivals, host Trine University (13-11, 8-5) at 3 o'clock Saturday. Alma (11-13, 7-6) hosts Olivet College in a 5 o'clock game Saturday.
Albion led 26-20 with 8 ½ minutes left in the first half, but it surrendered a 23-3 run to trail, 43-31, at halftime.
Wheeler ignited the Britons in the second half, scoring seven points on three consecutive possessions to pull them within six at 46-40.
Albion trailed 56-51 when it went on its run to take the lead. Wheeler started the uprising with a pair of baskets and the Britons took a 57-56 lead on Jaylin Fordham's jumper. Rubio followed with a 3-point basket and a dunk as the Britons surged ahead, 62-56, with seven minutes left.
Albion led by as many as eight, 65-57, on Dylan Bennett's 3-point basket with six minutes left.
Wheeler led the Britons with 15 points, scoring 11 of those in the second half. He stuffed the box score with seven rebounds and four assists.
Rubio chipped in with 12 points and five rebounds. Burks finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Fordham and Darius Branch added eight points apiece.
Alma's Ryan Stevens led all players with 16 points.