ALBION – Ken Thomas' third double-double in the last four games vaulted the Albion College men's basketball team to a 70-62 win over Calvin University. The Britons open 2022 – and MIAA action – with a win, improving to 5-7, 1-0.

Thomas scored 14 points while bringing down 14 boards. Fellow big Devin Holmes also scored 14 points in the win.

Out of the gates, Albion brought the momentum by drawing a pair of offensive fouls on the Knights.

Calvin took a small lead in the low-scoring first half. With neither team leading by more than four, it remained a very contested period. A layup by the Knights in the final minute saw the visitors leading 33-30 at halftime.

After missing most of the first half due to foul trouble, MJ Barnes' baseline jumper knotted the game at 35. Calvin sank a pair of free throws at the other end before Barnes knocked down another bucket – this one from behind the arc – giving the Britons a 38-37 lead.

Baskets by Jonathan Armstead-Wilkerson and Thomas pushed Albion's lead to five with 16 minutes to play – their biggest lead to that point.

Chanse Crittendon gave the Britons life by scoring six straight points. Devin Holmes brought down an offensive rebound to keep the possession alive. Barnes later found the sophomore to drain a three. Following a Calvin miss, Crittendon drained another 3-pointer – this one in transition – extending Albion's lead to seven and forcing Calvin to call timeout.

With 10:10 on the clock, Calvin trimmed Albion's lead to one. Barnes and Thomas answered for the Brits with back to back buckets, pushing the lead back to five.

Justin McAbee hit a big jumper with 2:41 to play, as Albion took a 68-56 lead. The senior scored 12 points in the win.

Fred Garland dished out a career-high six assists.

The Britons hit the road on Saturday in a rematch of last year's MIAA Championship game. Albion will play Trine in Angola at 3 p.m.