ADRIAN, Mich. - Coming into Wednesday's contest, the Adrian College men's basketball team had gotten away from its patented tough defense and it resulted in three straight losses and a precurious 4-6 record in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The Bulldogs welcomed Olivet College (5-5 MIAA) into the Merillat Gym in a critical matchup for both teams in a late-season fight to qualify for the MIAA Tournament. The story of this one was Adrian holding Olivet to its lowest point total of the season in a 53-35 win over the Comets. It was also the lowest amount of points given up by the Bulldogs this season.

The Comets were a paltry 14-of-51 (27.5 percent) from the floor in the contest and did not make a three-point field goal in 16 attempts. Adrian especially did a number on two of Olivet's top scorers. Dakotah Ellis went 0-for-11 from the field and was scoreless coming into the game averaging 9.2 points per game. Garner Small, the third leading scorer in the conference, entered the game averaging 18.4 points per game and was held without a field goal until 13:13 left in the game. He was 0-for-5 shooting before finishing 1-for-6 with just two points.

The Bulldogs also were relentless on the boards as they outscored Olivet, 16-0, in second chance points. Adrian grabbed 15 offensive boards and edged Olivet 50-26 on the glass. Senior Sean Gallant recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He went 6-for-14 from the floor in 30 minutes. Sophomore Adam Meier increased his lead in the MIAA rebounding race by grabbing 14 boards and is now averaging 7.2 per game. Meier scored nine points in 25 minutes but struggled from the floor going 3-for-12. Sophomore Eric Lewis led the Bulldogs with 14 points and was an efficient 6-for-8 from the floor with six rebounds in 29 minutes. Freshman Ben Rodak contributed eight points knocking down a pair of three's.

Olivet had its lone lead on the game's first basket at the 19:08 mark before Adrian went on a 7-0 run and never looked back. The Bulldogs did not give up double digits until 2:02 left in the half as they were up 30-11. The Comets did not get the deficit under 16 points in the second half. Adrian improved to 16-6 overall and 7-2 at home this season. Both teams are now 5-6 in the conference and tied for fourth with three games remaining in the regular season. Adrian seems to have the easier road with games at Alma and Kalamazoo before hosting Albion. Adrian is 3-0 against those teams this season. Olivet hosts third-place Trine and then finishes with road games at Hope and Calvin.