Tri-State held a 37-34 lead at halftime, but Albion started the second half on a 14-4 run to hold a 48-41 lead when junior guard Zak Silas scored a fast break layup with 15:20 remaining.
After a timeout, Tri-State reeled off five quick points and the game was close the rest of the way. Albion took a 72-70 lead on a layup by senior center Brandon Crawford with 1:45 remaining, but Tri-State received layups from Tony Benford and Justin Guy to seize the lead for good.
Crawford posted his 14th double-double of the season with 26 points and 21 rebounds. He made 10-of-11 shots from the field. Senior guard Mike Bailey made all four of his shots from behind the arc to finish with 14 points. Silas and junior forward Evan Way contributed 11 points apiece.
Benford scored 17 points in 23 minutes off the bench to lead Tri-State. Guy added 15.
ALBION COLLEGE (16-3,7-2) Brandon Crawford 10-11 6-12 26; Mike Bailey 4-7 2-2 14; Zak Silas 4-11 1-2 11; Evan Way 4-5 3-4 11; Garrett Gibbons 3-7 0-0 6; Drew Yancey 2-2 0-0 4; Andrew Ruddick 0-2 0-0 0; Jim Cash 0-3 0-0 0; Rick Palmer 0-2 0-1 0; D.J. Mocini 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-51 12-21 72. TRI-STATE UNIVERSITY (10-10,5-4) Tony Benford 5-11 6-9 17; Justin Guy 5-9 2-2 15; Derrick Graham 4-7 4-4 14; Maurice Brookins 4-9 0-0 11; Micah Williams 2-4 3-4 8; John Moore 2-4 3-7 7; Andre Patrick 2-3 0-0 5; Jeigh Krupp 0-0 0-2 0; Tyler Lee 0-0 0-0 0; Ryan Kinzie 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-48 18-28 77. Albion College................ 34 38 - 72 Tri-State University.......... 37 40 - 77 3-point goals-Albion College 6-17 (Mike Bailey 4-4; Zak Silas 2-6; Garrett Gibbons 0-4; Jim Cash 0-2; Rick Palmer 0-1), Tri-State University 11-26 (Maurice Brookins 3-8; Justin Guy 3-7; Derrick Graham 2-3; Micah Williams 1-2; Tony Benford 1-4; Andre Patrick 1-2). Fouled out--Albion College-None, Tri-State University-Jeigh Krupp. Rebounds-Albion College 39 (Brandon Crawford 21), Tri-State University 22 (Micah Williams 5). Assists-Albion College 13 (Mike Bailey 4), Tri-State University 13 (Micah Williams 5). Total fouls-Albion College 23, Tri-State University 19. A-500