CINCINNATI, Ohio – Travell Oakes wasn't the first option on the final possession, but he came through with a layup as time expired lifting Albion College to an 86-84 victory over Berea on the second day of a tip-off tournament hosted by the College of Mount Saint Joseph.
"The original play was to hit Robert Ryan on the run and have Jordan Herron slash back," Albion Head Coach Jody May said. "Jordan got to the middle of the lane and made a nice pass to T.O."
Albion spotted Berea a 9-0 lead and the Britons trailed 20-10 five minutes into the game. In a copy of the Friday night win over Mount Saint Joseph, Jibreel Hussein produced a pair of baskets off the bench to pull Albion within five. Corey Wheeler scored on consecutive possessions as Albion trailed, 25-24, with nine minutes left in the first half.
"We need to come out with more fire, but we very easily could have stopped playing," May said. "I'm proud of the way we came back with fight and energy.
"We played pretty good teams this weekend and came away with two wins," May added. "Berea is one of the most talented teams we'll play."
Berea scored the final seven points of the first half to cut Albion's lead to 43-41 at halftime.
Albion trailed by four with less than four minutes remaining , but Oakes scored a pair of baskets to pull the Britons even. Neither team led by more than two points from that point.
Albion shot 50 percent for the game, with Oakes hitting all seven to finish with 16 points. Herron achieved his eighth career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Wheeler, 5-of-10 from the field, finished with 13 points, and Hussein, who was 4-of-7 from 3-point range, produced 14.
Berea's Richard Parker led all players with 35 points.
Albion, 2-0 on the young season, travels to Heidelberg University for a non-league game on Tuesday.