BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Albion College men's basketball team overcame a sluggish start to the second half to secure a 73-70 victory over Baldwin Wallace University on the opening day of the McDonald's of Bluffton Classic.

The teams shot better than 50 percent from the field – Albion was at 55 percent (12-of-22) and Baldwin Wallace was at nearly 52 percent (14-of-27) – as they played to a 37-37 stalemate at halftime.

Anthony Mezzeo, who led Baldwin Wallace with a career-high 20 points, produced seven over the first 2 ½ minutes of the second half as the Yellow Jackets opened up a 44-39 lead.

Baldwin Wallace took its largest lead of the day, 52-44, when Matt Dimitrijevs knocked down a 3-point basket with 14 minutes to play.

MJ Barnes led the Albion rally with three 3-point baskets, including one that put the Britons in front, 56-54, with 9:21 to play. Barnes finished with a career-high 18 points, hitting 5-of-9 from 3-point range and all three from the free throw line.

Neither team led by more than four the rest of the way.

Jamezell Davis, Jr. delivered for Albion in the final five minutes, knocking down three 3-point baskets, including the one that put the Britons up 73-70 with 1:32 to play. Davis finished with 16 points.

The frontcourt pair of Quinton Armstrong and Caden Ebeling continued their good work.

Armstrong stuffed the box score with 15 points, hitting 6-of-7 shots from the field, seven rebounds, two assists and a block.

Ebeling secured his second 20-point game of the season, finishing with 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Albion, 7-2 overall, will complete action in the McDonald's of Bluffton Classic with a 2 p.m. Sunday tip against Otterbein University.