Adrian, MI – The Adrian College men’s basketball team traveled to Western Michigan University to take on the Division I Broncos. The Bulldogs held their own in their first game against a NCAA DI team since the 2016-17 season. Adrian trailed 30-16 at halftime and fell by a score of 62-42 on the road.
The Bulldogs trailed early against the Broncos as they went down 8-0 to start the game. A pair of baskets from Kendall Bellamy put Adrian on the board and brought the score to 9-4. With 9:43 remaining in the first half, Connor Pelham knocked down a wing jumper to put the score at 16-10 in favor of WMU. Robert Warrick added to the scoring the the black and gold, but WMU responded with an 8-0 run. Bellamy snapped the streak with a layup followed by a jumper from Tyler Gillery to put the score at 30-16 at halftime.
Adrian held its own on defense forcing 10 first half turnovers. Bellamy led the Bulldogs in scoring at the break with eight points.
The teams traded baskets early in the second half bringing the score to 39-22 six minutes into the half. Adrian sparked the offense with two made baskets from Nolan Ansara and Bellamy followed by a three-pointer by Pelham. Heading into a media timeout, the Bulldogs cut the lead to 11, later bringing the score to 42-32 after a hook shot in the paint by Kobe Price. WMU scored on back-to-back possessions and forced Adrian to call a timeout with 9:02 remaining in the second half.
Western Michigan continued its scoring bringing the score to 52-32. Bellamy scored on a turnaround jumper to put Adrian down 18. Adrian stuggled with the late WMU defense turning the ball over on back-to-back possessions. With four minutes remaining in the game, Kalamazoo called a timeout leading 55-34. The Bulldogs didn’t give up late in the game as Kas Oganowski knocked down a triple from the corner. With 1:36 remaining in the game, the Bulldogs emptied their bench leading to a three-pointer from Ben Pacer.
Bellamy led the Bulldogs in scoring with 14 points followed by Pelham who finished with seven.
The Bulldogs return to action on the road against Eastern Michigan University on Wednesday, December 9. Adrian will take on the Eagles for the first time since 1967. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
*Media in the story courtesy of the Adrian College Athletics Department*