AURORA, Ill. -- A big afternoon from junior Kurtis Rhodes wasn't enough to push the Albion College men's basketball team past Aurora University on Saturday, as the Britons fell 80-67. 

The Spartans (8-3, 4-1 NACC) simply had no answer for Rhodes on their home court. The junior scored nearly as many points as he had minutes played, finishing the tilt with a career-high 29 points in 30 minutes of action. Rhodes went 13-for-19 (68.4%) from the floor and 3-for-5 (60%) from deep as he bullied his way through Aurora's defense. He added four rebounds, three assists, and one steal to round out his offensive output for the Britons (5-4, 0-0 MIAA). 

Despite Rhodes' hot touch, a balanced attack from Aurora made the difference, as four Spartans finished in double figures. Aurora found its success down low as the home side held a 34-24 edge in points in the paint. 

The Brits showed plenty of fight, as they battled back from a 31-19 deficit in the first half. Albion rattled off 11 unanswered points behind treys from Rhodes, Dwayne Ray, and Kam Mayes. With just over four minutes to go, the team's continued to trade buckets, as a deep ball from Rhodes and a layup from Ray pushed Albion ahead, 38-36 with just over a minute to play. Aurora snagged a basket back to knot the score at the half. 

With the score tied, the Brits kept pace with Aurora's even-keeled attack to start the second half as Rhodes and Michael Umeh found the bottom of the net to start the half. The Spartans wore the Brits down, however, and used a 12-0 run to seize the lead at 60-45. Albion continued to battle, but the deficit proved too much to overcome. 

Ray and Mayes joined Rhodes in double figures with 11 points apiece. Umeh and BJ Hunter finished tied for the team lead with five rebounds each.

Up Next
The Britons have a quick break for the holiday season before they return to the court at the Smokey Ballenger Classic, hosted by Otterbein College, on Monday, December 29. Albion battles Westminster College to open the tournament at 7 pm.