HOLLAND, Mich. – Albion College forged a tie for second place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Saturday when it walked out of the DeVos Fieldhouse with a 63-46 victory over 12th-ranked Hope College.

It was the 11th win in a row for Albion (12-5 overall, 7-2 MIAA) and its first win in Holland since Feb. 19, 2005.

The recipe for the victory, according to Coach Doreen Carden, was Albion's focus the entire game. Albion trailed Hope by four points at halftime when the teams met at Kresge Gymnasium in December, but Hope surged to a 78-53 victory that afternoon.

"We stayed composed and never let the game get out of control like we've done in the past," Carden said. "I reminded the team about the December game at halftime."

Albion's composure was evident in the opening moments of the second half as Liz Ellis buried a 3-point basket and scored a fast break layup to erase the Britons' 23-20 halftime lead. Tanner Johnson (Charlotte)knocked down a jumper to tie the score at 25, and Patty Rewa (Greenville) tacked on a basket in the paint as the Britons regained a 27-25 lead.

Albion made two key runs in the second half. The first – a 7-0 spurt helped by free throws from Taylor Peruchietti (Lansing/Waverly) and a 3-pont goal by Taylor Nugent (Honor/Benzie Central) – boosted Albion to a 34-28 lead with 13 minutes left. Rewa, Nicole Dennis (St. Clair Shores/Lakeview), Johnson, Lauren Epple (Williamston), and Brett de Bear (Plymouth/Salem) all contributed points during a 10-0 run as Albion surged to a 46-32 margin with 4:15 remaining and the Britons maintained the double-figure margin the rest of the way.

Rewa picked up her ninth double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. She knocked down 6-of-11 shots from the floor and 7-of-8 from the line. Rewa was supported by de Bear's 12 points and Dennis' 11.

"Having Patty on the floor for 36 minutes was important," Carden admitted.

Ellis finished with 18 points for Hope (15-3, 7-2).

Albion will challenge another nationally-ranked opponent Wednesday when it travels to Grand Rapids for a 6 p.m. matchup with Calvin College.