Albion has won nine in a row since falling to the University of Michigan-Dearborn in the season opener, but five of the victories have been decided by 10 points or less. The margin of victory has been three points in three of those games. Albion will take a 9-1 record when it opens defense of its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title at Adrian College Jan. 4.
Senior center Brandon Crawford was the playmaker. Coming off 10-point, eight-rebound performance in the Britons opening round victory over Concordia University, Crawford asserted himself with 32 points and 11 rebounds against Elmhurst to leave no doubt in the contest for the tournament’s most valuable player award. He connected on 12-of-15 shots from the field and 8-of-9 attempts from the free throw line. It was Crawford’s second highest scoring output of the season and his third game with at least 30 points.
Senior guard Mike Bailey contributed 14 points to earn a place on the all-tournament team. Bailey exploded for a career-high 24 points in the Wednesday victory over Concordia.
Albion scored on back-to-back possessions midway through the second half to take the lead for good. Crawford scored a layup to put the Britons ahead 57-55, and junior guard Zak Silas followed with a three-point field goal to make the margin five, 60-55, with 6:25 remaining.
The Britons refused to let Elmhurst to regain the lead down the stretch. Albion made all six of its free throw shots in the final 29 seconds.
The key statistic, according to Albion head coach Mike Turner, was the Britons’ 32-18 rebounding advantage.
“Elmhurst is a team that averages 10 more rebounds than its opponents per game,” Turner said. “Elmhurst is a really good team, a highly respected team with a good coach.”
Elmhurst, which fell to 8-3, placed Chris Martin and Robert Strzemp on the all-tournament team. Martin turned in an outstanding line of 21 points, seven assists, and five steals.
ELMHURST COLLEGE (8-3) Martin, Chris 7-14 6-9 21; Strzemp, Robert 4-9 1-1 9; Gershenzon, Dave 2-6 3-4 7; Bacon, Pat 2-6 2-2 7; Lee, Brian 2-2 2-2 6; Patchett, Evan 2-4 0-0 5; Michael, Nick 2-3 0-0 4; Ihlenfeldt, Chris 1-3 0-0 3; Mohney, Andrew 1-1 0-0 2; Ruch, Brent 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 24-49 14-18 66. ALBION COLLEGE (9-1) Brandon Crawford 12-15 8-9 32; Mike Bailey 3-5 6-6 14; Zak Silas 2-8 4-4 9; Rick Palmer 1-2 6-6 8; Andrew Ruddick 2-4 1-1 5; Garrett Gibbons 1-8 0-0 3; Evan Way 1-2 0-0 2; Dean Raven 0-0 1-2 1; Drew Yancey 0-1 0-0 0; D.J. Mocini 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-45 26-28 74. Elmhurst College.............. 32 34 - 66 Albion College................ 39 35 - 74 3-point goals-Elmhurst College 4-15 (Ihlenfeldt, Chris 1-2; Bacon, Pat 1-3; Martin, Chris 1-4; Patchett, Evan 1-3; Gershenzon, Dave 0-1; Strzemp, Robert 0-2), Albion College 4-14 (Mike Bailey 2-3; Garrett Gibbons 1-7; Zak Silas 1-4). Fouled out--Elmhurst College-Mohney, Andrew, Albion College-None. Rebounds-Elmhurst College 16 (Martin, Chris 5), Albion College 32 (Brandon Crawford 11). Assists-Elmhurst College 18 (Martin, Chris 7), Albion College 18 (Garrett Gibbons 4; Mike Bailey 4). Total fouls-Elmhurst College 25, Albion College 19. A-239