BULLDOGS RUN AWAY FROM ROCHESTER, 96-44
Adrian kicks off season in style

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

ADRIAN, Mich. – It was a grand opening for the Adrian College women’s basketball team.

Sparked by their freshmen, the Bulldogs stormed to a 96-44 victory over the Rochester College Warriors in their season opener at the Merillat Center.

Adrian (1-0) had four players score in double figures and dominated most of the statistical categories. The Bulldogs outscored the Warriors 24-2 in the paint and held a 37-3 advantage in bench points. Adrian also controlled the boards, out rebounding the Warriors 59-26.
Rochester (1-3).

The Bulldogs opened the game with a 14-4 run, capped with a jumper by freshman Kim Olech just over seven minutes in. The Warriors fought back to within 21-16 on Deana Donato’s basket with 6:42 left in the first half, but Rochester would get no closer, as Adrian answered with a 25-4 run.

Adrian tripled the Warriors’ score on Priscilla Yeagley’s layup with 50 seconds left in the half, and the Bulldogs took a commanding 46-20 lead into the break.

After the teams exchanged baskets to start the second half, the Bulldogs surged farther ahead with a 16-0 run. A layup by Alex Culbert and free throw by Chikura Dixon gave Adrian a 71-26 lead midway through the half. With the game out of reach, the Bulldogs cleared their bench.

All 14 players dressed for Adrian scored in the game. Freshman Ashley McClarren led the attack with 15 points and eight rebounds. Olech added 12 points and six rebounds, while Yeagley had 12 points and five rebounds. Senior captain Meredith Blazejewski finished with 10 points and freshman Jennifer Perrin handed out six assists for the Bulldogs.

Tiffany Durham had 20 points and seven rebounds to lead Rochester. Jaresha Obey added eight points and six assists for the Warriors.

Rochester was held to 28 percent shooting for the game.

The Bulldogs will return to action Nov. 21 for their traditional pre-Thanksgiving game against cross-town nemesis Siena Heights University. The game takes place at the Merillat Center this year, with the tip scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Adrian defeated the Saints last year 67-58 at Siena Heights.