The Bulldogs trailed by 11 points with 16 minutes remaining in the game and by five points with two minutes left, but overcame the Britons attack with key conversions by freshman guard Liz Hafeli and freshman center Kim Olech.
Olech, who came into the game averaging over 11 points-per-game, was held scoreless for the first 25 minutes, but answered the call with 10 points in the final 15 minutes. Hafeli scored 10 points in less than three minutes of the second half to give the Bulldogs the lead in the final minute of the contest.
The Britons led nearly the entire game until Olech’s put-back off an Anita Stamps’ miss gave Adrian a 63-62 lead with 1:42 to play. The Bulldogs forced two turnovers and three missed shots in the final two minutes to preserve the win.
Four Bulldogs scored in double figures with Olech, Stamps and Nichole Roose scoring 10 apiece. Hafeli tied for the game-high with 14 points on 3-of-8 shooting with two triples. Point guard Corri Helldober had four assists, while freshman Ashley McClarren had a great all-around game with eight points, 10 rebounds and five steals.
Adrian shot 43% from the floor and held the Britons to 41% shooting and forced the hosts into 26 turnovers. The Bulldog bench came up big, outscoring Albion 33-6. Elysia Norris had five of those points along with three rebounds as AC improved to 3-1 on the season and won the first of the MIAA contests.
Adrian will next host Saint Mary’s College on Wednesday night at the Merillat Center. Tip off with the Belles is scheduled for 7:30 p.m
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