Dec. 9, 2006

LATE RALLY LIFTS KALAMAZOO PAST BULLDOGS
Five Hornets score in double figures, Adrian drops second straight

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – With a minute and a half remaining, the Adrian College women’s basketball team appeared ready to take home a hard fought road victory.

The Kalamazoo College Hornets had other ideas.

Making a late run, Kalamazoo turned a five-point deficit into an 80-77 victory over the Bulldogs in a wild game at the Anderson Athletic Center.

Adrian (3-3, 1-2 MIAA) was in good shape after Anita Stamps hit a pair of free throws with 1:38 remaining, giving the Bulldogs a 75-70 lead. However, Kalamazoo’s Briana Hendrix was fouled during a 3-point try seconds later and hit each shot at the line. Therese Demres buried a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left, giving Kalamazoo (2-5, 1-1 MIAA) a one-point lead, then converted a pair of free throws moments later.

A layup by Nichole Roose pulled Adrian to within 78-77 with 15 seconds remaining, but Demres hit another two free throws before a last-chance 3 by the Bulldogs missed.

A back-and-forth game featured 20 lead changes and 14 ties. The Bulldogs snapped a 22-22 tie with consecutive layups by Stamps and Jenny Carlson, but Hendrix quickly answered with a 3-pointer with six minutes left in the first half. The teams exchanged the lead until Carlson converted a traditional 3-point play with 1:15 remaining, helping Adrian take a 39-36 lead into halftime.

The Bulldogs stayed in front most of the second half, taking their biggest lead with 12:24 remaining when Corri Helldobler scored a layup, making it 53-46. However, consecutive 3’s by Demres and Sara Lappan, and a pair of free throws by Emily Collins gave the Hornets a one-point lead a minute later.

With the game tied a 67 with five minutes left, the Bulldogs appeared to grab control when jumpers by Carlson and Stamps along with a pair of free throws by Carlson gave Adrian a six-point lead. Kalamazoo fought back to within three after a basket by Nyemade Cooper, but Stamps answered by hitting two at the line, giving the Bulldogs a 75-70 lead with 1:38 left.

The Hornets took the game away from Adrian with their 10-2 run in the final 1:26.

The loss spoiled a big performance by Stamps. The freshman finished with a game-high 23 points to lead the Bulldogs. Liz Hafeli added 14 points, while Carlson had 11 points and seven rebounds. Kim Olech grabbed seven rebounds and Helldobler recorded six assists for Adrian.

Five players scored in double figures for Kalamazoo. Hendrix led the way with 19 points, while Demres added 15 points. Cooper scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Lappan had 13 points. Kelsea Howell had 12 points and six assists for the Hornets.

The Bulldogs will return to action Dec. 17-18 when they compete in the Cruzin’ Classic Invitational in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Adrian will face Roanoke College on Dec. 17, then face the University of Mary Washington on Dec. 18. The Bulldogs’ next home game is Dec. 28 against Defiance College.