Led by hot perimeter shooting by senior Mike Bailey and junior Zak Silas Albion streaked to a 22-9 lead 7 ½ minutes into the contest. Silas knocked down all three of his 3-point goals in the early run, while Bailey added seven points.
Tri-State went on a 28-14 run over the next 10 minutes to seize a 37-36 lead with 3:37 left in the first half. Maurice Brookins gave the Thunder offense a jump start with 3-point field goals on back-to-back possessions. Jeigh Krupp completed the run with a jumper and a 3-point field goal.
Albion recovered and closed the half on a 12-3 run to hold a 48-39 lead at halftime. Crawford sandwiched a layup and a pair of free throws around a 3-point goal by senior Garrett Gibbons to ignite the late rally.
“We had a good start, a little lull, and a good flurry at the end of the half which was important in the outcome of the game,” Albion head coach Mike Turner said.
Albion never trailed in the second half, but Tri-State never let up. The Thunder became just the second team this season to outrebound the Britons, finishing the night with a 36-33 edge on the glass. Justin Guy’s basket with 10:40 left pulled the Thunder within six, 63-57.
Crawford scored the Britons’ next four baskets as the lead ballooned to 13, 74-61, with seven minutes left. He connected on 14-of-16 shots from the field. Senior guard Rick Palmer and Bailey benefited most from Crawford’s big night. Palmer was credited with 10 assists, two shy of tying the school record. Bailey finished with seven assists and 10 points. Silas also scored in double figures with 14.
“Our assist to turnover ratio (27 assists to 12 turnovers) was really good,” Turner said. “Our game sense was good most of the time.”
Guy and Krupp scored 13 points apiece to pace Tri-State.
TRI-STATE UNIVERSITY (5-7; 0-2 MIAA) Jeigh Krupp 6-9 0-1 13; Justin Guy 4-10 2-4 13; Maurice Brookins 4-10 0-0 12; Andre Patrick 4-7 2-2 10; Micah Williams 4-10 0-0 10; Ryan Kinzie 3-4 1-2 7; John Moore 2-7 0-0 5; Derrick Graham 0-2 3-4 3; Tony Benford 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 27-61 10-15 75. ALBION COLLEGE (11-1; 2-0 MIAA) Brandon Crawford 14-16 3-8 31; Zak Silas 4-10 3-3 14; Mike Bailey 3-6 2-2 10; Garrett Gibbons 3-10 1-1 9; Evan Way 3-6 2-3 8; Drew Yancey 1-3 4-4 6; D.J. Mocini 0-0 4-4 4; Jim Cash 1-1 0-0 2; Andrew Ruddick 0-0 2-2 2; Rick Palmer 0-3 0-2 0; Drew Hilton 0-0 0-0 0; Dean Raven 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-55 21-29 86. Tri-State University.......... 39 36 - 75 Albion College................ 48 38 - 86 3-point goals-Tri-State University 11-32 (Maurice Brookins 4-8; Justin Guy 3-6; Micah Williams 2-6; Jeigh Krupp 1-2; John Moore 1-4; Tony Benford 0-2; Derrick Graham 0-2; Andre Patrick 0-2), Albion College 7-16 (Zak Silas 3-5; Mike Bailey 2-4; Garrett Gibbons 2-7). Fouled out--Tri-State University-None, Albion College-None. Rebounds-Tri-State University 36 (Micah Williams 6), Albion College 33 (Brandon Crawford 7). Assists-Tri-State University 23 (Justin Guy 8), Albion College 27 (Rick Palmer 10). Total fouls-Tri-State University 24, Albion College 17. A-317