HOLLAND, Mich. – Albion College trimmed a 17-point deficit to three with 1:39 to play, but Hope College made its free throws down the stretch to hold on for a 77-70 victory over the Britons in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men's basketball action.
The loss drops Albion (12-6 overall, 5-2 MIAA) out of a tie for first place in the standings. The Britons will square off against one of the co-leaders, Olivet College, in a 7 p.m. Saturday matchup at the Cutler Athletic Center.
Hope led by 12 at halftime and it extended the margin to 51-34 on Riley Lewis' 3-point basket with 15 minutes left.
Jaylin Fordham and ArShawn Parker led Albion on a 7-0 run to trim the deficit to 63-58 with 4 ½ minutes left.
Albion trailed 69-66 on Quinton Armstrong's basket with 1:39 left.
Hope answered with a basket from Calvin Hackert and Albion turned the ball over on its next possession. Lewis made four free throws and Preston Granger added a pair in the final minute.
Armstrong finished with season-highs of 18 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench for Albion. Parker led the starters with 16 points, while Nathaniel Collins (12) and Caden Ebeling (10) also scored in double figures.
Lewis and Dennis Towns led Hope with 16 points apiece.
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