GIRLS BASKETBALL: Adams staves off Rochester to remain unbeaten
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BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
ROCHESTER HILLS — Rochester Adams continued one of its best starts in school history Friday — at arch-rival Rochester’s expense.
And it wasn’t easy.
In a typical, close battle in the deep OAA White Division, unbeaten Adams staved off Rochester, 38-32, Friday night at Oakland University’s O’rena to remain on top of the heap in the eight-school division. The Highlanders (10-0, 6-0) have gone nearly halfway through the league schedule unscathed, although they have narrowly escaped danger on more than one occasion.
Adams coach Fran Scislowicz, who has seen his team start 10-0 four other times since he took over the program in 1991, has seen his team win several games by less than 10 points, and the win over Rochester came just three days after the Highlanders stymied Oxford in overtime by just two points.
“We’ve had trouble,” offered Scislowicz. “Bloomfield (Hills), Troy, Oxford. Rochester — everyone’s been tough now. I think the balance, the top-five half — and don’t think Rochester’s not up there. They’ve played everybody tough. I think it’s going to be a fun second go-round. That’s the beauty of the OAA. That’s supposed to happen when you do (alignments) the right way. I enjoy it. It’s getting a little hard on an old-time guy.”
SEIZING CONTROL: Rochester Adams’ Amber Jamison snares this rebound during Friday’s win over Rochester. Photo | Dan Stickradt
Amber Jamison powered her way for 11 points, 19 rebounds and four blocked shots. Jenny Rosonke added eight points and Raiven Owusu also scored eight, all from the foul line to go along with five re bounds, four steals and three assists for the Highlanders.
Adams picked up three-pointers from Rosonke and seldom-used senior Gabi Dolenga in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, as part of an 8-0 run. The two-point deficit entering the final frame was quickly erased and Adams never trailed down the stretch.
Rochester used a quick 4-0 spurt to close to with 31-29 with 2:37 left, but the Falcons could get no closer.
“We’re not afraid of those close games anymore,” said Scislowicz. “We embrace them. I just hope we keep pulling them out. They’re not easy.”
Alexa Haupt scored 18 of her team’s 32 points, while Ivy Schultz added seven points for the Falcons (3-8, 2-4) who suffered yet another close loss.
TIGHT SPACE: Rochester’s Alexa Haupt tries to find room against Rochester Adams’ defense during Friday’s OAA White Division showdown. Photo | Dan Stickradt
Rochester, which graduated all five starters and brought back just two players who saw significant minutes, is already out of the league race but have capability of playing spoiler. The Falcons held a trio of leads on Adams — Rochester led 24-22 entering the fourth quarter for its final advantage — before the Highlanders pulled away with a 13-8 fourth quarter.
The Falcons have built a reputation of being a worthy opponent and is one the verge of pulling an upset.
“I take that as a compliment,” said Rochester coach Adam Shelton. “A lot of people have said, ‘They play hard.’ We kind of take pride in that. We know as a group, offense — shooting the basketball — is not our strong point, so they’ve really bought into working hard at the defensive end, rebounding. Everybody knows that’s not necessarily the most fun part in the game, but they’re taking pride in it. I just keep telling them to keep getting better every game. We took a big step forward today.”
Rochester led 7-5 a t the end of the first quarter, while Adams battled back for a 16-13 lead at the half.
Rochester regained the advantage in the third quarter and led 24-20 late in the frame before falling away. The Falcons converted only two field goals in the fourth quarter, much to the credit of Adams’ stingy defense.
The Highlanders overcame a cold hooting night (9-for-50, 18 percent) by forcing 24 turnovers and limiting Rochester to a 28 percent shooting performance (10-for-36).
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FOR MORE BASKETBALL COVERAGE: http://northoaklandsports.com/?s=Basketball&x=13&y=12
Have photos or video of this event that you wish to share? E-mail pertinent information to www.northoaklandsports.com Senior Editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or e-mail results@northoaklandsports.com.
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