Jan. 13, 2006

BULLDOGS SURVIVE SCARE, WIN FIFTH STRAIGHT
Overtime win at Olivet sets up showdown for first

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

OLIVET, Mich. – With momentum shifting the other way, the Adrian College men’s basketball team righted the ship at the right time.

Weathering a late second half rally, the Bulldogs extended their winning streak to five games with a 69-66 overtime victory over the Olivet College Comets before a spirited crowd at the Upton Center.

Adrian (5-8, 4-0 MIAA), which last won five straight in Jan. 2005, did its part to set up a Jan. 17 showdown with Hope (12-2, 4-0 MIAA). The Flying Dutchmen defeated rival Calvin College to remain on top of the conference with the Bulldogs.

Olivet (3-11, 1-3 MIAA) erased a 10-point deficit in the final 6:50 of regulation, and appeared to have the game won when Jeff Cooper converted a traditional 3-point play, giving the Comets a 56-52 lead with 44 seconds left. Lamar Cardenas answered with a 3-pointer seconds later, but Cooper hit a pair at the line, putting Olivet up three with 20 seconds remaining. Gallus helped the Bulldogs force overtime by sinking a missile with just over 10 seconds left.

Consecutive baskets by Andy Sierminski and Paul Smith gave Olivet the first four points of overtime, but Corey Smith answered with a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer, giving Adrian a 65-62 lead. Desmond Young extended the lead to five with two free throws in the final minute, then Olivet missed three at the line with nine seconds left as Adrian held on for the win.

The Bulldogs opened the game with a 15-3 run in the first eight minutes, capped by Steve Thornton’s layup. Olivet fought back to within four on a Joel Kerns 3-pointer with 3:33 left in the half, but a layup by Cardenas, jumper by Gallus and 3-pointer by Young lifted Adrian to a 30-19 lead at halftime.

In the first half, the Bulldogs held Olivet to 25 percent shooting and while hitting 44 percent from the floor.

Adrian maintained a double-digit lead for most of the second half. Thornton’s basket with 6:50 remaining gave the Bulldogs a 52-42 lead, but they wouldn’t score again until the final minute.

While Adrian went cold, Brandon Way heating up for the Comets. Way scored five points in three minutes, capped by a 3-pointer which pulled Olivet to within 52-50. Two minutes later, Bryan Dutton gave the Comets a one point lead with another missile. After an Adrian turnover, Cooper hit his 3-point play, making it 56-52 with 44 seconds left.

Cardenas snapped the Bulldogs’ scoreless streak with his 3-pointer, pulling Adrian to within one. After Cooper’s trip to the line, Gallus sank his trey and forced overtime.

Six players scored in double figures for the Bulldogs. Gallus led the way with 16 points, while Young, Smith and Thornton each added 11 points. Cardenas and Ian Weber had 10 points apiece. Andy Kubish grabbed 10 rebounds, while Gallus handed out six assists for Adrian.

Sierminski had a game-high 18 points to lead Olivet. Cooper added 17 points, while Way had 10 points. Paul Smith grabbed eight rebounds for the Comets.

The Bulldogs and Dutchmen will meet Jan. 17 at the Merillat Center. Hope, the defending MIAA champions, won both meetings with the Bulldogs last year. Adrian’s last victory over the Dutchmen came Jan. 8, 2005 at the Holland Civic Center.