Jan. 6, 2010

Final Stats

ADRIAN, Mich. - The Adrian College men's basketball team got off to a great start in the MIAA by defeating Trine University 71-65 on Wednesday night at the Merillat Center.

Jovon Mosley scored 22 points and grabbed six rebounds against the Thunder. Mosley went 8-for-13 from the floor including three shots from behind the arc to lead Adrian.

Joseph Kopicki didn't miss a shot against Trine and ended the game with 12 points. Kopicki hit two three pointers and was also 4-for-4 from the free throw line.

Cody Barnes struggled from the field, but hit some big free throws down the stretch to seal the victory for Adrian. Barnes ended the game with 10 points. He was 5-of-6 from the charity stripe.

Ian Jackson scored a game-high 23 points for Trine. Jackson kept the Thunder close by scoring 15 points in the second half.

AC established a 38-30 lead after the first 20 minutes of action. Trine took control of the game early by opening up an 8-2 lead. The Bulldogs went on a 12-0 run to regain the lead, forcing Trine to take a timeout.

Mosley had a strong first half effort as he scored 15 points, grabbed five boards and also added two assists in just 15 minutes. The Bulldogs attacked the basket and used good free throw shooting to get the lead. AC was 8-of-13 from the free throw line in the first half compared to Trine just connecting on one of their two free throw attempts.

The game didn't change much in the second half until Trine decided to switch their defense to a 2-3 zone. AC adjusted their offense and Kopicki knocked down a three pointer to push the lead to 50-38.

The Thunder went on an 11-4 run shortly after the three point basket to climb back into the game. Jackson sparked the run by scoring 11 of the last 13 points for Trine in a six minute span.

With four minutes to play the Bulldogs were hanging onto a four point lead. Mosley pushed the lead to six with a layup, but Trine answered with a jumper at the other end of the floor. With time running low Adrian decided to use up a majority of the shot clock during their next possession. Michael Staley got to the paint with seconds to spare and dished out a great assist to Dennis Mason to push the lead to 62-56. AC kept the lead by hitting their free throws late in the game to earn the 71-65 victory.

Adrian will continue conference play with a game at Kalamazoo on January 9th. Tip-off will be at 3:00 p.m.