Albion College Athletics issued the following announcement.
A Jamezell Davis, Jr. layup is what Albion needed to seal their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association regular-season championship since 2005. It was a defensive stop on the last possession of the game that held a 66-62 final.
It is the first MIAA title under head coach Jody May and the 7th regular-season championship in the program's history.
"It was two really good defensive teams…" said Head Coach Jody May before he was cut off by Gatorade showers from his players. "We both know each other so well. This is the fifth time we have played each other in two years, and we know everybody's tendencies, and it just comes down to making some plays at the end, and we were able to do that."
A strong defensive performance was the storyline. With both teams being held under 30% from beyond the arc, it was a game that was going to be won from inside the paint and at the free throw line. Albion edged Trine in the paint 28-26 and converted on 21 of 25 free-throws, which proved to be crucial down the stretch.
Jamezell Davis, Jr. and Quinton Armstrong was the story in the first half with both contributing 10 points, which combined for 20 of the team's 30 first-half points. Armstrong led the Britons in the first half with six rebounds while forward teammate Caden Ebeling contributed five. Overall, it was a slow start for the Britons shooting just 38.5% from the field in the first half.
A complete turnaround in the second-half and a strong performance from Caden Ebeling out of the locker-room is what the Britons rode to the final buzzer. Ebeling led the Britons in the second half with 13 points. It wasn't without struggles as the Britons found themselves down seven with 5:24 left in regulation.
"I want to give Cortez Garland credit because we called timeout, and we were down seven. We have a play called, and he has the guts to be overplayed and shoot a pull-up jumper from the free-throw line, and it goes in. I really thought that was a turning point for our team, and I think that he was the catalyst for that."
A Garland jump-shot and two baskets by Caden Ebeling helped push the Britons into the lead going down the final stretch. The layup by Ebeling with 1:39 left was the last time the Britons needed to take the lead thanks to free-throws made by Jamezell Davis, Jr, and Cortez Garland.
Albion will finish out their regular season at home on Saturday against Olivet as they will take time to recognize the seniors. The Britons will look to add to their trophy case after Saturday when they host the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association post-season championship tournament.
Briton Notes
- Quinton Armstrong finishes with 14 points and 12 rebounds to record his fifth double-double of the season
- Caden Ebeling finishes with 15 points and 10 rebounds to record his seventh double-double of the season
- Cortez Garland finished in double-figures with 10 points and added three steals
- Justin McAbee recorded 3 blocks, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists
Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality at Albion College. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated competition facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.
The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu
Original source can be found here.
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