ADRIAN, Mich – It was a big night for the Adrian College women's basketball team as they celebrated Christmas early with a come from behind victory over Anderson (Ind.) on Saturday 54-53. The win was the Bulldogs first at home, improving their overall record to 2-7.
The first half was all Ravens as they led by as much as nine before the Bulldogs pulled within three at the half, 25-22. Adrian was able to stay close to Anderson in part to holding the Ravens scoring leader on the season to only four points in the first half. The Bulldogs also turned Anderson turnovers into eight points during the first half.
At the start of the second half the Ravens again extended their lead to six in part to a 7-2 run at the 15:56 mark. The Bulldogs rallied and went on their own 8-2 run to tie the game at 34. Adrian had their first lead of the game at the 8:56 mark. Anderson and Adrian would exchange buckets over the course of several minutes until the bulldogs rattled off six straight points to take the lead by five. The two teams exchanged buckets over the course of three minutes as the Bulldogs held a five point lead, 52-47 with 1:36 left in the game. The Ravens would score four straight to cut the Bulldogs lead to one with about 40 seconds left.
Adrian inbounded the ball and ran full court. Instead of trying to run out the clock, the Bulldogs attempted a layup to seal the game but the ball bounced out of the net and the Ravens rebounded. Anderson drove the length of the court and was fouled, as their shooter made both to pull ahead by one with 20 seconds left in the game. This time it was Adrian who drove the length of the court. Lead scorer senior Kellee Wonders (Pittsford, Mich./Hudson), got the ball inside and was fouled going up for the shot. Wonders went to the free throw line to shoot need needing at least one to tie. Wonders came through in the clutch making both to give the Bulldogs the lead by one. Anderson had an opportunity to win it at the buzzer but the three-pointer by Jenna Wittenberg hit the backboard to seal the Adrian win.
Wonders led the Bulldogs with a game and season-high 15 points shooting a solid 6-8 from the field, while pulling down eight boards. Sophomore Katie Ross (Clawson, Mich./Clawson ) dropped in eight points, including two three's. Freshman LaQwana Dockery (Macomb, Mich./Dakota) scored seven points while dropping in two three-pointers. Sophomore Rachael Walker (Warrensville Hts., Ohio/John F. Kennedy) had a solid all-around game with a game and season-high seven assists, while dropping in five points and getting two rebounds and steals. Junior Jenn Headley (Hicksville, Ohio/Hicksville) grabbed six rebounds while adding in four points.
The Bulldogs will take two weeks off before they travel to Oberlin College on New Year's Eve at 5:00 p.m.