Rebounding Margin Buries Albion

ALBION, Mich. – Albion College put forth an outstanding effort, but finishing with 12 fewer rebounds proved to be too much to overcome as its season came to an end with a 71-55 loss to Adrian College.  At 7-7 against its Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rivals, Albion fell short of its goal of qualifying for the league tournament.

Kolin Kazen and Luke Walker hit 3-point baskets on the first two possessions as Albion got off to a good start with a 6-2 lead.

Gallant scored five points and Cody Barnes and Richaud Pack contributed baskets as Adrian ripped off a 9-0 run. The Bulldogs led 14-8 with 14:23 remaining in the first half and they would not trail the rest of the day.

Walker would not let Adrian build a large lead, however, as he scored 12 of his career-high 17 points in the first half. Bob Wernet scored two baskets in the lane to pull Albion within three, 30-27, with less than two minutes left in the half. Albion trailed 34-29 at intermission.

Gallant and Eric Lewis scored on the first two possessions of the second half as Adrian extended the margin to nine, and the lead grew to double digits on Pack's 3-point goal with 15 ½ to play. Albion would not get closer than eight the rest of the way.

Walker, one of three Albion senior who completed his collegiate career, knocked down 4-of-6 shots from the field and he was 7-of-7 from the line.

Three Adrian starters scored in double figures – Pack led all players with 18 and Gallant and Adam Meier contributed 16 points apiece.