SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Albion College's 10-point halftime lead evaporated in the first five minutes of the second half, and it was never able to regain control of the game in a 60-53 loss to Spring Arbor University in non-league men's basketball action Thursday night.

After trading baskets for the first 10 minutes of the game, Albion asserted itself with a 9-2 run to build a 22-14 lead. The Britons were getting easy points with baskets from Zach Hurth and Leonard Wernette-Leff in the lane and Hurth also tacked on a pair of free throws.

Albion had opportunities to increase the lead, but the Britons shot 38 percent from the field (11-of-29) in the first half. Albion settled for a 32-22 advantage at halftime.

Spring Arbor played aggressively from the outset of the second half. The Cougars scored off a pair of Albion turnovers, including a 3-point basket by Chris Bellamy, as the margin melted to a single point with less than three minutes off the clock.

The Cougars ripped off another six-point run as Matt Carden and Bellamy scored off Briton turnovers. Spring Arbor led 39-34 with 13:18 to play.

Mike Smith and Jordan Herron led Albion on an 8-2 run as it regained the lead, 42-41, with 9 ½ minutes to play.

Bellamy and Rob Hogans combined to score Spring Arbor's next eight points as the Cougars surged to 49-43 lead.

Hurth and Smith carried Albion in the first half, combining for 17 points. Hurth scored two points in the second half to finish the night with 11. Smith led the Britons with 16.

Hogans and Bellamy finished with 22 and 18, respectively, for Spring Arbor.

Albion's players went their separate ways after the game to spend the Christmas holiday with friends and family.  The Britons return to campus Dec. 26 for an evening practice in preparation for Dec. 28-29 games in the Bill Sudeck Holiday Classic at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.