Adrian College Men's Basketball Archives

Dec. 9 , 2006

HOME OPENER SPOILED BY ROCHESTER
Adrian falls to Warriors for second time this season

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

ADRIAN, Mich. – The 3-ball couldn’t save the Adrian College men’s basketball team.

A big day from freshman Lamar Cardenas and senior Andy Kubish wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs were dealt an 85-74 loss to the Rochester College Warriors in Adrian’s home opener at the Merillat Center.

Adrian (0-5) was swept in the two-game regular season series with the Warriors, losing by 11 both times. Rochester (8-3) defeated the Bulldogs 66-55 in the teams’ first meeting Nov. 25.

The Bulldogs trailed by 17 with just under eight minutes remaining, but slowly cut into the deficit with free throws and 3-pointers. Cardenas buried a missile with 42 seconds remaining, pulling Adrian to within 81-74, but Adam Hacias and Rob Fragoso each sank a pair of free throws while the Bulldogs misfired four 3-pointers in the final 30 seconds.

For the game, the Bulldogs were 14-for-30 from 3-point land, including 8-for-12 in the first half. They were also strong at the line, making 16-of-19 free throws. However, Adrian was only 8-for-28 inside.

A 3-pointer by Cardenas early in the first half tied the game at 9, but Rochester answered with the next seven points. Midway through the half, consecutive 3’s by Tyler Leipprandt and Odai Baylor and a pair of free throws by Fragoso increased the Warriors’ lead to 27-17.

After Steve McCune hit 1-of-2 from the line, giving Rochester a 13-point lead with 4:37 left in the half, the Bulldogs fought back with 3-pointers by Cardenas and Kubish. Cardenas pulled Adrian to within six with another missile with 1:37 remaining, but Rochester recovered and took a 44-35 lead into halftime.

The Warriors began to increase their lead early in the second half. Leipprandt and Hacias hit back-to-back 3’s, putting Rochester up by 16 four minutes into the half. The teams exchanged baskets until McCune and William McGee scored a pair of layups, giving the Warriors their biggest lead of the day at 69-52 with eight minutes left.

A 9-2 run gave the Bulldogs life over the next three minutes. Kubish hit a pair of free throws and buried a 3-pointer, pulling Adrian to within 71-61 with five minutes remaining. Ryan Gallus helped the Bulldogs inch closer by hitting a 3-pointer and four shots from the stripe, then Cardenas hit a 3 of his own with 42 second left, pulling the Bulldogs to within seven.

Cardenas finished with a game-high 26 points to lead Adrian. Kubish added 22 points, while Gallus had 14 points. Ian Weber grabbed nine rebounds for the Bulldogs. For the game, Adrian held a 36-31 advantage in rebounding.

McGee led the Warriors with 22 points, while Leipprandt added 13 points. Fragoso had 12 points and eight assists. McCune and Baylor each scored nine points, while Andrew Clark finished with nine points and seven rebounds for Rochester.

The Bulldogs will return to action Dec. 16-17 when they compete in the Cruzin’ Classic Invitational in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Adrian will face Azusa Pacific on Dec. 16 then play Montana State Northern the next day. The Bulldogs' next home game will be Dec. 23 when they host Manchester College.