Jan. 31, 2007

LATE SURGE HELPS HORNETS STUN ADRIAN
Bulldogs still in second despite loss

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Adrian College men’s basketball team had a chance to move into sole possession of second place in the MIAA.

Instead, the Bulldogs will have to settle for a three-way tie.

A second half surge lifted the Kalamazoo College Hornets to a surprising 80-67 victory over the Bulldogs at the Anderson Athletic Center.

Adrian (7-11, 6-3 MIAA) remains tied with Tri-State and Calvin for the second spot in the conference. Tri-State fell to Albion, while Calvin blasted Alma. All three teams trail league-leading Hope by three games.

Kalamazoo (3-15, 1-8 MIAA) shot 59 percent in the second half had took control of the game with a 15-6 run midway through the half. A 3-pointer by Andy Kubish pulled the Bulldogs to within eight with 46 seconds left, but the Hornets took advantage of their trips to the foul line and sealed the win.

Free throws played a large role in the Hornets’ victory. On the night, Kalamazoo was 24-for-27 at the line. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were 2-for-3 for the game at the stripe.

The first half saw 10 lead changes, six ties and neither team lead by more than four points. Missile by Kubish and Corey Smith gave the Bulldogs a 14-11 lead eight minutes in, but Kalamazoo battled back. A pair of free throws by Tyler Worst with five minutes left gave the Hornets a two-point lead.

Adrian appeared to snatch the momentum after a 3-pointer by JT Curry and a layup from Clark Rowekamp, but Isaiah Novak hit a pair at the line and Roger Garfield’s missile with 45 seconds remaining gave Kalamazoo a 30-26 lead at halftime.

After exchanging baskets to open the second half, consecutive 3-pointer by Lamar Cardenas and Ryan Gallus gave the Bulldogs a 41-39 lead just over five minutes in. That was the last time Adrian held the lead.

Pat Clancy started the Hornets’ run with a triple two minutes later, then closed the surge with another missile, giving Kalamazoo a 54-47 lead with seven minutes remaining.

The Hornets gradually extended their lead. Garfield’s layup gave Kalamazoo its biggest lead of the game at 68-54 with 2:26 remaining. Gallus quickly answered with a triple before the teams traded scores again.

A jumper by Rowekamp and 3-pointer from Kubish pulled Adrian to within 74-66 in the final minute, but the Hornets hit their free throws down the stretch for the win.

Kubish scored 14 points and handed out six assists to lead the Bulldogs, while Cardenas also had 14 points. Gallus scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists. Ian Weber had seven rebounds for Adrian.

Mat Kellogg finished with a game-high 18 points for Kalamazoo. Clancy had 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Worst added 14 points. Garfield scored 11 points and handed out four assists and Thomas Greer had 10 points for the Hornets.

The Bulldogs will return to action Feb. 3 when they travel to Calvin College. Adrian surprised the Knights with a 79-75 victory on Jan. 10 at the Merillat Center. The Bulldogs will seek their first win at the Calvin Fieldhouse since the 2002-03 season.