By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

ADRIAN, Mich. – So close, yet so far for the Adrian College men’s basketball team.

The Bulldogs saw a late rally go for naught as the Siena Heights University Saints held on for a 57-54 victory in the battle for the “Milk Jug Trophy” before a big crowd at the SHU Fieldhouse.

Adrian (0-4) fell to its cross-town archrivals for the third straight season. The last two games have been decided by three points (the Saints won 64-61 in 2005-06). Siena Heights (3-6) retained the Milk Jug in new coach George Evjen’s first meeting with the Bulldogs.

Neither team made a big run to completely take control of the game. The Saints’ biggest lead of the night was seven points while Adrian’s grabbed a six point lead, its largest, early in the first half.

Trailing 40-33 midway through the half, the Bulldogs fought back to tie the game with just over three minutes remaining. Consecutive inside baskets by Matt Wayne and Andy Kubish tied the game at 52-52, but the Saints’ Curtis Stephens buried a 3-pointer seconds later. After the teams exchanged free throws, Adrian had a pair of chances to force overtime.

The Saints held their 57-54 lead with a minute left, but turned the ball over twice and were called for a foul underneath their own basket with eight seconds remaining. Adrian was called for a traveling violation on the inbound and was forced to foul Stephens, but freshman missed the free throw. Adrian got the ball up court, but its 3-point attempt fell short at the buzzer.

With strong outside shooting by Corey Smith while Ian Weber and Steve Thornton crashed the boards, Adrian grabbed an 11-5 lead in the first five minutes. The Bulldogs stayed in front until Stephens hit a layup midway through the half, giving the Saints a 19-18 lead.

The Saints closed the half strong and took a 27-23 lead into the break.

The Bulldogs tied the game at 27 two minutes into the second half, but Siena Heights answered with a 13-4 run, building its largest lead of the night. Adrian continued to answer down the stretch, tying the game twice, but never grabbing the lead.

Weber had 15 points and eight rebounds to lead the Bulldogs. Smith added eight points and four assists, while Kubish had seven points and seven rebounds. Ryan Gallus grabbed six rebounds for Adrian, which held a 44-36 edge in rebounding for the game.

Stephens and Justin Norlock each had 15 points to lead Siena Heights. Jake DeRoeck recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. He also made six steals. Victor Hamilton grabbed nine rebounds for the Saints.

After playing four games on the road to open the season, the Bulldogs will return to the friendly confines of the Merillat Center on Dec. 9 when they host Rochester College. Adrian will look to avenge its 66-55 loss at Rochester on Nov. 25.