ALBION, Mich. – Erin Nelson achieved career highs of 22 points and 15 rebounds as Albion College gained the inside track to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament with an 84-72 victory over Adrian College.
The victory gives Albion (16-5 overall, 9-4 MIAA) a two-game lead over Adrian in the race for the fourth and final – berth in the tournament. Albion's remaining league schedule includes a home game against Alma College next Saturday and road trips to Calvin College (Feb. 15) and Kalamazoo College (Feb. 18).
"It was a big win," Head Coach Doreen Carden said. "You could tell it was big for them, too, because they played hard. It was a hard fought game."
There were eight lead changes in the game until Albion seized control early in the fourth quarter. Oreyana Curry, Nelson, and Emily Bernas scored baskets on consecutive possessions as Albion extended the lead to 70-58 with eight minutes to play.
It was Nelson's first double-double of the season and the seventh of her collegiate career.
Bernas produced her second 20-point game of the season, finishing with 21. She also pulled down eight rebounds.
Curry contributed 15 points, pushing her career total to 970. She also dished out seven assists.
Albion will take a break from league play Wednesday when it travels for a game against Rochester College.
