Jan. 20, 2006

THUNDER DOWNS BULLDOGS, 75-59
Adrian drops to third after home loss

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

ADRIAN, Mich. – Maurice Brookins and Tony Benford were a dynamic duo for the Tri-State University men’s basketball team.

Combining for 46 points, Brookins and Benford sparked the Thunder to a stunning 75-59 victory over the Adrian College Bulldogs at the Merillat Center.

Adrian (5-10, 4-2 MIAA) dropped its second straight game at home and is now in third place in the MIAA. Tri-State (11-5, 5-1 MIAA) has sole possession of second place (one game behind league-leading Hope) after winning its fifth straight.

The Bulldogs were hurt by 33 percent shooting, a cold night in the paint and 19 turnovers. After layups by Andy Kubish and Ryan Gallus pulled Adrian to within eight with 7:39 remaining, the Thunder countered with a 15-4 run over the next five minutes to pull away.

Tri-State scored the game’s first six points, but a jumper by Steve Thornton and 3-pointer from Corey Smith pulled the Bulldogs into a 10-10 tie early in the first half. The Thunder again grabbed a six-point lead, but Thornton and Kubish answered with layups before Lamar Cardenas buried a missile with eight minutes left, bringing Adrian to within one.

However, Brookins and Benford took over after that, sparking a 13-3 run for Tri-State. The duo got behind Adrian’s defense for four straight layups, then Brookins capped the run with a 3-pointer with a minute left in the half. A layup by Cardenas pulled the Bulldogs to within 35-25 at the break.

The Thunder inched further ahead early in the second half. Brookins sank another 3-pointer, giving his team a 45-31 lead, but Ryan Gallus converted a four-point play a minute later, cutting the deficit to nine. The teams exchanged baskets until Gallus scored a layup with 7:39 remaining, making it 55-47.

Adrian would get no closer as the Thunder responded with their late second-half run. Benford and Donnie Pruitt hit consecutive 3-pointers, then Benford ran in for another layup with just over three minutes left, giving Tri-State a 68-49 lead.

For the game, the Thunder hit 45 percent from the floor and forced 12 steals.

Cardenas had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead the Bulldogs. Desmond Young added 14 points, while Gallus had 11 points. Kubish grabbed 11 rebounds for Adrian.

Benford and Brookins each scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds for Tri-State. Pruitt added 10 points, while John Moore had six rebounds. Justin Guy handed out eight assists and grabbed six rebounds for the Thunder.

The Bulldogs will return to action Jan. 24 when they travel to Alma College. The game will mark the halfway point of conference play. The teams split the two meetings last year, with the home team winning each time.