DEFIANCE, Ohio - For the second time this season, the Adrian College men's basketball team defeated Mount Union. This time it came in the opening game of the Defiance Purple & Gold Tournament by the final of 73-63 and gave the Bulldogs a 10-0 start to their season tying the school record set by the 1954-55 team.

Senior Sean Gallant came into the game averaging 4.6 points per game but erupted for a career-high 27 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds to lift the Bulldogs into the championship game tomorrow versus either Defiance or Finlandia who were playing the second game at press time. Gallant went 9-of-12 from the floor including 5-of-6 from behind the arc and also went 4-of-5 at the free throw line. Adrian shot just 34.3 percent in the first half but then rebounded to shoot 48.5 percent in the second half. The Bulldogs shot a season-best 8-of-12 (66.7 percent) from behind the arc.

Senior Cody Barnes added 14 points and made a pair of triples in four tries. Barnes played 36 minutes and also had three boards, two assists and two steals. Sophomore Eric Lewis scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds while also dishing out three assists.

Mount Union did not lead in the contest and Adrian's biggest lead was 11 points with 16:46 left in the second half. Adrian held a 34-18 edge in the paint and also scored 21 second-chance points off 17 offensive rebounds. Jarrett Ruffin led the Raiders with 15 points and also had six rebounds off the bench.