ALBION, Mich. – Albion College failed to deliver the knockout blow Saturday and it paid the price with an 80-74 overtime loss to Alma College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men's basketball action.

Kolin Kazen (Holland/Saugatuck) buried a pair of free throws to boost Albion to a 64-58 lead with 1:06 left.

Cory Schneider promptly delivered a 3-point basket, and Brian Sheridan tacked on a layup after an Albion turnover. Albion left the door ajar by going 1-for-2 at the line and Brandon Krause took advantage with a layup with seven seconds remaining to tie the score at 65.

Schneider and Greg Silverthorn knocked down 3-point baskets on Alma's first two overtime possessions and the Scots never looked back.

Alma, the second-best shooting team in the MIAA, hit six of its first nine shots to lead 22-15 in the early going. The Scots cooled off to 42 percent from the floor, but they maintained a 32-27 halftime lead.

Kazen scored four points and Mike Smith (Detroit/Crockett) scored inside as Albion erased the deficit 3 ½ minutes into the second half. Albion went on to lead by as many as six on four occasions in the second half, but it never pulled away.

Albion led 49-43 midway through the second half, but it missed five of its next six shots and the front end of a 1-and-1 free throw opportunity as Alma surged to tie the score at 51.

The score was tied at 55 and 58 before Smith dunked a pass from Kazen and Kazen tacked on a layup and two free throws to put the Britons on top 64-58.

Kazen collected his second career double-double with 27 points and 14 rebounds, and Smith and Lawrence Ridgell (River Rouge/Inkster) contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Four Alma starters reached double figures with Krause leading the way with 17. Schneider had 16, Tommy Erickson 13, and Brian Sheridan turned in a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.

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