By Scott DeWeerd, '15

ALBION, Mich. – Dakota Kazen hit four free throws and Travell Oakes scored a pair of layups as Albion College pulled away late in earning a 61-56 victory over Alma College in Wednesday night Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) men's basketball action.

The victory, Albion's second in as many tries, moved the Britons two games behind fourth-place Adrian College. Albion (10-10 overall, 3-6 MIAA) has a home date against Hope College at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Doug Bradfield produced five early points as Alma started the game on a 9-0 run. Albion recovered with a 12-0 rally as Kazen and Robert Ryan hit from 3-point range and Oakes scored inside three times.

Kazen's basket with four minutes left in the first half snapped a 17-all tie. He added another 3-point basket and Adam Davis dialed up from long distance, as well, as Albion seized a 29-20 halftime lead.

Albion led by as many as 14 in the second half, but the lead melted as Scott Nikodemski, the reigning Player of the Week in the MIAA, produced 11 of his team-high 15 points. Still, the Britons made it difficult for Nikodemski to operate and he finished with eight turnovers.

"He's a great player and he's leading their team in points and assists," Albion Head Coach Jody May said. "Our game-plan was to attack him, to get after him and force him out of his comfort zone."

Oakes put up an impressive line for the Britons, scoring 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting to go along with seven rebounds. Dakota Kazen added a season-high 16 points while sinking all six of his free throw attempts. Jordan Herron finished one point shy of a double-double, producing nine points and 10 rebounds to go along with three assists.