WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Albion College was relegated to the consolation game of the Smokey Ballenger Tournament Wednesday with a 78-66 loss to Ohio Wesleyan University, but the Britons came away feeling good about the emergence of first-year forward Carter Elliott (Franklin/Detroit Country Day).

Elliott, who contributed a career-high 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds on a day when Albion finished -18 on the boards. He knocked down 7-of-14 shots from the floor.

Albion fell behind by double digits eight minutes into the game as the Britons were whistled for the first seven fouls and they couldn't keep Ohio Wesleyan off the boards. Ohio Wesleyan reeled off a 10-2 run and its offensive rebounds led to a pair of layups.

Albion settled down later in the first half and it was able to make a 6-1 run to trim the margin to five on two occasions. Zach Hurth (Lansing/Lansing Catholic Central) converted a layup with 3 ½ minutes left in the first half to pull the Britons to 27-22.

Greg White produced Ohio Wesleyan's next two baskets – both 3-point goals – and Tim Brady sank a pair of free throws as the Battling Bishops pumped the margin back to double digits. Nick Felhaber's "three" as the buzzer sounded gave Ohio Wesleyan a 38-26 lead at halftime.

Ohio Wesleyan scored the first two baskets of the second half as the margin ballooned to 16 before Albion mounted an 11-2 run to trim the deficit to seven with more than 16 minutes to play. Kolin Kazen (Holland/Saugatuck) knocked down a jumper and a pair of free throws, Anthony Wash (Redford/Redford Union) contributed a fast break layup, and Lawrence Ridgell (River Rouge/Inkster) scored five of his team-high 19 points on a pair of free throws and a 3-point basket.

Albion's comeback was squelched when Vaughn Spaulding flushed a dunk, Marshall Morris followed with a 3-point goal, and Brady sandwiched layups around Andy Winters' layup and 3-point shot. Ohio Wesleyan led by as many as 19 in the second half before settling for the 12-point margin of victory.

Albion's foul trouble forced Luke Walker (Cedar Springs) to log 28 minutes off the bench. He collected his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Walked also dished out a team-high three assists.

Brady and Winters were Ohio Wesleyan's double-digit scorers with 19 and 13 points, respectively. Marshall Morris grabbed 22 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end of the floor.

Albion, 4-6 overall, will face the University of Wisconsin-Platteville or Otterbein University at 3 p.m. Thursday in the consolation game of the Smokey Ballenger Tournament.

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