Box Score HOLLAND, Mich. - The Bulldog Men's basketball team came out hot, but was unable to hang against 12th ranked Hope College Saturday at DeVos Fieldhouse. The visiting Bulldogs scored the first four points in the game but were unable to last falling 69-60 and dropping to 8-4 (1-1 MIAA).
Junior guard Brad Whitby led the team in scoring with 15 points, going 7-9 from the free-throw line. Also playing a key factor was sophomore forward Richaud Pack who finished with 13 points. Junior forward Dennis Mason scored 10 points and recorded eight rebounds in his first game of the season coming off of an injury.
"I'm really proud of our effort," said Head Men's Basketball Coach Mark White. "We came to win. The level it takes to just compete with a team like Hope is different than the level it takes to win. We have a young team but they've shown the work ethic it takes and they won't dwell on a win or loss."
Adrian trailed 33-25 at halftime and was in foul trouble then as freshman Adam Meier, junior Sean Gallant and Pack all had three fouls. The foul trouble caused a disparity in first-half free-throw shooting as Hope went 10-12 from the line and Adrian was a mere 1-2.
For Hope, senior David Krombeen scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Also big on both ends was sophomore Nate VanArendonk as he scored 10 points, collected six rebounds, and blocked nine shots.
Adrian looks to bounce back against another MIAA opponent this Wednesday, as they will travel to Trine University to take on the Thunder who currently sit at 9-4 (2-0 MIAA).
"Their team has a lot of weapons," White said. "It's going to be another tough challenge for us. All year our team has shown the effort it takes to be prepared. I expect that we'll play determined and play hard."
