ALBION, Mich. – Despite an 83-78 loss to Illinois Tech Saturday afternoon, the Albion College men's basketball team believes it is just a couple of small fixes away from getting back in the win column.

Albion shot 72 percent from the free throw line. Missing the front end of a pair of 1 & 1 opportunities especially hurt.

The Britons also turned the ball over four times in the final 9 ½ minutes of the game.

Albion led by as many as 10 in the first half, but for the most part, the game was a tightly contested affair. There were 10 lead changes and the score was tied six times.

Jaylin Fordham scored his only points of the day on a 3-point basket boosting Albion to a 57-56 lead with 8 ½ minutes to play.

Parker Joncus scored the next five points – on a 3-point basket and layup – and Illinois Tech would never trail again.

Albion got within one on four occasions, the last time after Corey Wheeler hit two free throws to make the score 71-70 with less than three minutes to play.

Malik Howze made six free throws in the final minute to prevent Albion from taking the lead. Howze led all players with 25 points, and Max Hisatake led the Illinois Tech starters with 21.

Wheeler led the Britons with 20, while Quay Burks matched his career high with 19 and Caden Ebeling scored in double figures for the first time this season with 11.

After fall semester final examinations through Thursday, Albion will return to the court next Saturday for a non-league game against local rival Spring Arbor University. The tip will follow a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women's game between Albion and Hope College.

Follow the Britons on Twitter: @AlbionMBB