ALBION, Mich. – Albion College Head Coach Jody May warned his team about the need to stand up as men in the home opener against Capital University Friday night.
Albion fell behind by five midway through the second half, but Caden Ebeling produced two baskets in the final minute as the Britons hung on for a 71-68 victory.
"I've known (Capital Head Coach Damon) Goodwin for a long time, and you know what you're going to get," May said. "Capital has tough, hard-nosed kids and they make everything tough on you. Your offense is tough, trying to stop them is tough, trying to get a rebound is tough. I told them it was going to be a long night if you are going to play like a little boy. I think our guys really responded. Everything wasn't perfect – it's still early in the season – but because they were playing hard and they were competing we had a chance to win."
Albion erased the 57-52 deficit as MJ Barnes produced a second chance basket and Jamezell Davis, Jr. hit a free throw and a jumper in the lane.
Albion scored on four consecutive possessions – baskets by Devin Holmes, Davis and two by Ebeling boosted Albion to a 67-62 lead with 30 seconds left.
Juwan Perry completed an old-fashioned three-point play and Barnes dialed up from three-point range to lead Albion to an 11-4 start. The Britons went on to take a 38-35 lead at halftime.
Barnes (12), Nathaniel Collins (11) and Davis (11) were Alboin's double figure scorers. Ebeling fell two points shy of a double-double (he grabbed 11 rebounds).
Albion, 2-1 on the young season, will play at Kresge Gymnasium again on Saturday when it squares off against Kenyon College. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Follow the Briton men's basketball team on social media
Instagram: @albion.mbb
Twitter: @AlbionMBB
