By Caio Orofino, '15

Kalamazoo, Mich. – The task of qualifying for the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament is tall and the hill is steep, but the Britons knew they had to start the second half on a winning note.

Corey Wheeler made 3-point jump shot to give Albion a 56-55 lead with just over four minutes left. The Britons then ended the game on an 8-5 run to win 64-60 in MIAA men's basketball action.

"This league is balanced. It is tough to go on the road and get a win," Albion Head Coach Jody May said. "The guys were finally able to get over the hump."

Kalamazoo led 53-49 with six minutes left in the game after a made jump shot from Adam Dykema. The Britons evened up the score with back-to-back jump shots from Jordan Herron and Zach Hurth a minute later.

Albion sealed the game away in the last four minutes, never giving up their lead with help from Wheeler's 3-point bucket and a pair of free throws. Robert Ryan added in a jump-shot with 3:41 left in the second half and then Jordan Herron made a basket and-one free throw to give the Britons a 63-60 lead with just 18 seconds left.

"We got contributions from a lot of people," May said. 

Albion finished the first half on an 18-12 over the last 13 minutes, which carried it to a 35-30 lead at the half. Ryan produced three made free throws and a jump shot in that stretch.

Kalamazoo started the second half on fire, going on a 16-6 run in the first eight minutes with help from Dykema, who had seven points during that run. Albion then got its act together and ended up evening the game at 53 points a piece with 4:41 left in the game.

Wheeler led the Britons in scoring with 14 points, Carter Elliott 12 of his own and Herron had 11 points and eight rebounds, four of which were on the offensive side.

Next up for Albion is Alma College who travels to Kresge Gymnasium on Wednesday for a 6 o'clock tip.