Dec. 28, 2006

BULLDOGS CONTROL GLASS, DOWN DEFIANCE
Ashley McClarren’s double-double sparks Adrian win

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

ADRIAN, Mich. – Ashley McClarren and Kim Olech turned the boards into a No Fly Zone.

The freshmen combined for 24 rebounds as the Adrian College women’s basketball team scored a 60-52 victory over the Defiance College Yellow Jackets in a non-conference game at the Merillat Center.

Adrian (5-4) controlled the boards throughout the game, holding a 59-29 advantage in rebounding, including a 19-7 edge in offensive boards.

Both teams played their first game after the Christmas break and had to overcome some rust. The Bulldogs shot 37 percent from the floor, but held Defiance (8-4) to just 28 percent shooting on the night.

The Yellow Jackets were still in striking distance with 5:30 remaining as Katie McNamara’s 3-pointer pulled Defiance to within 45-43. A layup by Olech and jumper from Corri Helldobler put the Bulldogs up by eight minutes later, but Defiance hung tough.

Sarah Bird hit 1-of-2 at the free throw line, cutting the deficit to 53-49, but McClarren converted a traditional 3-point play with 1:12 remaining, lifting Adrian into a seven point lead. Bird hit another free throw, pulling Defiance to within five with 28 seconds left, but the Bulldogs sank their free throws down the stretch to seal the game.

The teams exchanged 7-0 runs in the first 5:28. Elisa Hickman’s 3-pointer gave the Jackets their only lead of the game, 10-9, just under seven minutes in, but a jumper by Meredith Blazejewski shortly after put Adrian back in front. Hickman sank another jumper with 4:05 remaining in the first half, but the Bulldogs answered with a 10-2 run over the final three minutes.

McClarren cleaned the glass to score six straight points, and Jennifer Perrin’s 3-pointer gave Adrian a 29-19 lead at halftime.

The Bulldogs took their biggest lead of the night just under five minutes into the second half when McClarren’s jumper made it 37-24. Defiance fought back, using the 3-ball to spark a 12-4 run later in the half. Kayla Mengerink hit a pair of 3-pointers, then McNamara sank her missile with 5:30 left, cutting the deficit to 45-43.

McClarren’s 3-point play put Adrian up 56-49 with 1:12 remaining before the teams exchanged free throws in the final minute.

McClarren finished with a game-high 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs. Olech added eight points and 11 rebounds, while Alex Culbert grabbed seven rebounds. Anita Stamps handed out four assists for Adrian.

Mengerink scored 14 points and Bird added 13 points to lead Defiance. Hickman finished with nine points, while Sara Jacobs and Mandy White each grabbed seven rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.

The Bulldogs return to action Dec. 30 when they travel to Bluffton College for a 7:30 p.m. tip. Adrian has won eight straight against the Beavers, including last year’s 73-54 victory at the Merillat Center. Bluffton’s last victory over the Bulldogs came during the 1997-98 season.