Dec. 30 , 2006

BULLDOGS SOAR TO FIRST WIN
Thornton, Young spark rout of Oberlin

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College men’s basketball team wasn’t about to finish 0-for-December.

Behind a strong defensive effort and spark from a newcomer, the Bulldogs roared to their first win of the season, a 77-40 victory over the Oberlin College Yeomen in a non-conference game at the Merillat Center.

Adrian (1-8) snapped a 10-game losing streak dating to last season. The Bulldogs picked up their first victory since Feb. 15, 2006 when they defeated Tri-State.

For the game, the Bulldogs shot 46 percent from the floor while holding Oberlin (2-7) to just 29 percent shooting. Adrian also controlled the glass with a 49-29 rebounding advantage.

The Bulldogs set the tone by opening the game with a 19-6 run during the first 10 minutes. Quinton Spencer scored a layup with 7:22 remaining in the half, pulling the Yeomen to within 11, but Adrian erupted for a 27-7 run over the next six minutes.

Steve Thornton and Clark Rowekamp kicked off the surge with consecutive 3-pointers. Desmond Young, playing his first game with the Bulldogs since transferring from Division II Saginaw Valley State, hit a jumper and two free throws, giving Adrian a 21-point lead with just under two minutes left in the half. Thornton closed the run with another jumper, giving the Bulldogs a 36-18 lead at halftime.

The teams exchanged baskets in the first eight minutes of the second half. Noah Goldman’s layup pulled Oberlin to within 43-31 with just under 12 minutes remaining, but the Bulldogs closed the game with a 34-9 run.

Corey Smith buried a pair of 3-pointers shortly after Goldman’s basket, then Thornton hit a pair at the line, making it 54-33 at the midway point of the half. Adrian cleared its bench in the final five minutes, and Mark Rairigh hit a jumper with 2:53 left, giving the Bulldogs a 35-point lead.

Thornton finished with a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds to lead Adrian. Gallus added 10 points, while Smith and Ian Weber each scored eight points. Young had eight points and four assists in his Adrian debut. Rowekamp and Andy Kubish each grabbed seven rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Mike Loll had 10 points to lead Oberlin, while Spencer added eight points.

The Bulldogs will return to action Jan. 3 when they open MIAA play against the team that ended their season last year, the Albion College Britons. Adrian was swept in both regular season meetings with the Britons last season, and Albion eliminated the Bulldogs in the first round of the MIAA Tournament.

Albion has won five straight games against the Bulldogs. Adrian’s last victory over the Britons came Jan. 19, 2005 in a 71-67 overtime win at the Merillat Center.