ALBION – Backed by a 16-point effort from Kam Mayes, the Albion College men’s basketball team earned a 70-61 win over Penn State-Altoona in their home opener. The 16 points off the bench was a career-high for the sophomore. 

Senior AJ Barden continued to be a force inside, scoring a team-high 17 points and collecting 10 rebounds. 

After a first half where both teams went into the break locked at 27, the Britons opened the first five minutes of the new half on a 14-5 run, culminating in a 3-pointer from Mayes. Just before the Mayes bucket, the hosts received another three, this one from Beck Willems. 

With 7:03 on the clock, Nathan Steinman knocked down a jumper to inflate the Albion lead to 10 points. The double digit lead would be enough, as Albion would go on a big run down the stretch and secure their second win of the season. 

Albion scored 16 second chance points, limiting the Lions to just four. Five of Barden’s 10 boards were on the offensive glass, as he shot 8 of 9 from the floor. 

The Britons will be back on their home court Tuesday when they host Manchester for a 7 p.m. game.