The Britons shot 52 percent from the field (14-of-27) in the first half, but held just a 32-31 lead as Juniata cashed in for nine points off turnovers.
Albion tuned up its offensive efficiency at the start of the second half, scoring on eight of its first nine possessions to seize a 50-34 advantage with 15 minutes left in regulation. Senior forward Garrett Gibbons knocked down a pair of three-point field goals, and senior center Brandon Crawford and junior center Evan Way provided two baskets each.
Juniata never recovered from Albion’s fast second half start, getting as close as nine when Aaron Chamberlain connected from three-point range to make the score 51-42 with 11 ½ minutes remaining. Albion immediately answered Juniata’s challenge, getting a basket from first-year forward Drew Yancey and two free throws by Crawford to extend the lead to 13, 55-42, near the midpoint of the second half.
Albion reeled off eight points in a minute and a half to build a 21-point lead late in the contest. Way’s layup with less than two minutes left put the Britons ahead 77-56.
Albion made 68 percent of its attempts from the field (17-of-25) in the second half and finished the game shooting 59.6 percent (31-of-52). Crawford posted another double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Silas added a season-high 17 points, while Gibbons produced 14 points. Way missed his first double-double of the season, finishing with eight points and nine rebounds.
Brian Cannon scored 18 points to lead the Eagles (2-2 overall).
JUNIATA COLLEGE (2-2) Brian Cannon 6-19 4-4 18; Nick Hager 3-9 0-0 8; Travis Boyd 2-6 3-4 8; Aaron Chamberlain 2-4 2-2 8; Chris Jasiota 1-3 1-2 3; Kyle Opitz 1-5 1-2 3; Jeff Byer 1-1 1-2 3; Tommy McConnell 1-1 0-0 2; Brandon Mirizio 1-1 0-0 2; Brent Ferko 1-4 0-0 2; Neil Holloway 1-5 0-0 2; Justin Price 0-2 0-0 0; Steve Holencik 0-1 0-0 0; Chris Esperance 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-62 12-16 59. ALBION COLLEGE (2-1) Brandon Crawford 8-10 5-9 21; Zak Silas 8-11 0-0 17; Garrett Gibbons 5-6 0-0 14; Evan Way 4-8 0-0 8; Lonny Fulse 2-5 2-6 6; Jim Cash 1-2 2-2 5; Drew Yancey 2-4 0-0 4; Mike Bailey 1-4 0-0 2; Andrew Ruddick 0-0 1-2 1; D.J. Mocini 0-0 0-0 0; Rick Palmer 0-1 0-0 0; Drew Hilton 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-52 10-19 78. Juniata College............... 31 28 - 59 Albion College................ 32 46 - 78 3-point goals-Juniata College 7-18 (Nick Hager 2-6; Aaron Chamberlain 2-4; Brian Cannon 2-3; Travis Boyd 1-2; Justin Price 0-1; Kyle Opitz 0-2), Albion College 6-11 (Garrett Gibbons 4-4; Jim Cash 1-2; Zak Silas 1-2; Mike Bailey 0-1; Drew Hilton 0-1; Lonny Fulse 0-1). Fouled out--Juniata College-None, Albion College-None. Rebounds-Juniata College 25 (Brian Cannon 6), Albion College 42 (Brandon Crawford 13). Assists-Juniata College 11 (Brian Cannon 3; Kyle Opitz 3), Albion College 21 (Mike Bailey 9). Total fouls-Juniata College 16, Albion College 19. A-312