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Box Score

ALBION, Mich. (Dec. 2, 2009) - The third straight overtime game was not the charm for the North Central College men's basketball team Wednesday evening, as a 10-point second-half lead evaporated and the Cardinals lost, 84-79, at Albion College.

The Britons (4-2) enjoyed a strong start to the contest, scoring nine of the first 11 points and leading until an 11-2 North Central surge, capped off by a Reid Barringer three-pointer, nudged the visitors in front, 13-11. Albion put up three straight buckets to regain the lead, but an 11-2 Cardinal rally, sparked by back-to-back three-pointers from Barringer and Kyle Julius, gave North Central a 24-19 edge with 9:53 left in the opening period.

Albion fought back to take the lead once again at 37-35, but the Cardinals closed the half with an 11-2 run to take a 46-39 advantage into the break. Barringer scored seven points in the rally, including a three-pointer at the buzzer, to finish the first 20 minutes with 18 points.

The North Central lead reached its high-water mark at 52-42 with 16:58 left in the second half after a triple by Derek Raridon. The visitors led until a 7-0 Briton rally tied the score at 65-65 with 2:47 to go. Two free throws from Raridon briefly put the Cardinals back in front, but Albion's Adam Hiday knocked down a jumper to knot the score once again and J.C. Cruse converted a layup in the final seconds to give the hosts a 69-67 lead. Julius, however, was fouled on the next trip down the court and made both free throws to send the contest into overtime.

A layup by Jon Knapczyk and a free throw by Raridon got the Cardinals started on the right foot in the extra period, but Albion scored the next 10 points to take a commanding 79-72 lead. The closest North Central got in the final seconds was four points.

Barringer led all scorers with 28 points, making 6 of 14 three-point shots. David Twyman totaled 17 points and 10 rebounds for his second straight double-double, while Raridon scored 16 points. Knapczyk established new career highs with eight rebounds and a team-best six assists.

Chris Farr led Albion with 18 points, while Cruse scored 12 and Chris Hutton added 10.

North Central travels to Lake Forest College on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.