The Adrian College men's basketball team hosted the Trine University Thunder for a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association matchup on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs trailed late, until Justin Webster clinched the game, as he put up four points in the final 47 seconds to propel his team to a win 70-67.
Adrian (16-5, 7-3 MIAA) won the opening tipoff and immediately put points on the board, as Webster (Madison High School) got to the free-throw line and went 2-for-2. Trine (9-12, 5-5) responded with a seven-point run, that was ended by a 3-pointer from Jordan Harris.
The Thunder were quick to respond and forced the Bulldogs to take a timeout with 15:54 remaining in the half, already trailing 13-4.
Jeremy Kalonji quickly converted an and-one opportunity. Webster and Kalonji took control, as they combined for 12 points in the next two minutes to give the Bulldogs a 16-15 lead, forcing Trine to call a timeout of its own.
“Nobody cares how many points we score or who gets the shots, and I think that is why we are being so successful this year,” said Webster.
The teams continued to trade baskets, as Trine battled its way into a 25-24 lead with 7:30 remaining in the first half. For the rest of the half, both teams found it more and more difficult to find the bottom of the net, as the Bulldogs pulled out to a 36-33 lead at halftime.
The Bulldogs were led by Webster with 12 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the first half. Sam Colbert had 10 points, while Kalonji had eight points and three rebounds.
The second half opened with Colbert and Smith trading 3-point baskets. Both offenses got off to hot starts, but the Thunder went on a 9-0 run to take a 47-41 lead and forced a Bulldog timeout with 15:18 left in regulation.
Adrian responded with five consecutive points of its own to close the gap to one point, before Trine took a timeout trying to regain control. The Bulldogs kept the momentum rolling, as they extended the run to 17-3 and a 58-50 lead with 9:18 remaining and forced another Thunder timeout.
“You know you are never out of it, because they always find a way,” Adrian coach Kyle Lindsay said of his team. “We got stops and made plays when we needed to.”
With 3:45 remaining in regulation, Trine closed the gap to one point before calling a timeout. Following a timeout, the Thunder worked their way to a 67-66 lead with 2:33 left on the clock on a pair of free throws by Myles Copeland.
Webster responded with a basket to put the Bulldogs back on top. After a defensive stop, Adrian had possession of the ball with 42 seconds remaining. With the shot clock ticking down, Webster made a basket and then a defensive rebound to close the game.
“I knew we had to attack the rim, and luckily the ball went in,” said Webster.
Adrian was led by Webster with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Tre’Shon Heard led with six assists. Colbert contributed with 19 points and five rebounds.
Pete Smith led Trine with 24 points. Copeland added 22.
Adrian now prepares to hit the road for another MIAA game against Hope College on Wednesday night.
“We just have to keep grinding and keep getting better,” Lindsay said. “Fatigue is starting to set in. We are at Hope, so it doesn’t get any easier for us, but these guys will be ready.”
