Jan. 10, 2007

BULLDOGS’ RALLY FALLS SHORT
Alma holds on for 77-71 victory over Adrian

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College women’s basketball team made a bid for a remarkable comeback, but ran out of time.

Five players scored in double figures to lead the Alma College Scots to a 77-71 victory over the Bulldogs before a spirited crowd at the Merillat Center.

Adrian (7-7, 2-5 MIAA) trailed by 14 after Emily Niemi scored a layup with 4:25 remaining, but answered with a 10-0 run over the next two minutes. A jumper by Anita Stamps and 3-pointer by Liz Hafeli pulled the Bulldogs to within 69-65, but a pair of layups by Ashley Matuzak put Alma (7-6, 3-3 MIAA) up by eight with 1:31 left. Adrian twice pulled to within four in the final minute, the last time on a jumper by Jennifer Perrin, but the Scots added a pair of free throws while Adrian missed several chances down the stretch.

Jumpers by Alex Culbert and Perrin gave the Bulldogs a 14-11 lead nine minutes in, but Adrian fell into turnover trouble as the Scots took control with a15-6 run over a five minute span. A jumper by Courtney Lusk gave Alma a 30-22 lead, but a 3-pointer by Priscilla Yeagley, jumper by Nichole Roose and layup by Kim Olech pulled Adrian to within one. The teams exchanged baskets during the last 2:30 of the first half, and the Scots took a 39-33 lead into halftime.

During the first half, Alma shot 48 percent from the floor and was 9-for-9 at the free throw line. The Bulldogs were 36 percent shooting and committed 11 turnovers to Alma’s two.

Adrian erased a seven point deficit with a 10-2 run early in the second half. A 3-pointer by Roose and jumper by Culbert gave the Bulldogs a 49-48 lead, but Alma grabbed momentum with a 21-6 run over an eight minute span. A layup by Heather Kennan started the run midway through the half, and Niemi’s layup capped the run with 4:25 remaining, giving the Scots a 69-55 lead.

Roose hit a pair of free throws, then a jumper by Anita Stamps pulled Adrian to within seven with 3:25 remaining. Hafeli sank her 3-pointer a minute later to make it 69-65, but the Bulldogs were unable to pull any closer.

For the game, the Bulldogs held a 41-36 advantage in rebounding, but they shot 34 percent. Meanwhile, Alma hit 50 percent from the floor on the night.

Perrin had 11 points to lead the Bulldogs, while McClarren added 10 points and eight rebounds. Olech had 10 points and seven rebounds, and Corri Helldobler handed out four assists.

Matuzak finished with a game-high 15 points to lead the Scots. Niemi added 13 points, while Terra Teague and Keenan each had 12 points. Lusk scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Alma.

The Bulldogs will return to action Jan. 13 when they travel to Tri-State University. Adrian split the two meetings with the Thunder last year, with the road team winning both times.