By By JEFF FISHER / Dowagiac Daily News
EDWARDSBURG - Host Edwardsburg was looking to knock off Lakeland Conference leader Buchanan Tuesday night, but the Bucks proved to be too strong as it captured a 71-47 win over the Eddies.
Buchanan won the opening tip, but it was the Eddies' Nick Roth scoring the first bucket. Buchanan went on an early 4-0 run thanks to two Eddies turnovers that were created by the Buck's defense that evened up the game 6-6. A Roth bucket again gave the Eddies an 8-6 lead at the 3:07 mark. The Eddies' Doug Shuttlewoth opened up a 12-8 lead, but the Bucks' Tony Robinson tied the game at 12-12.
The Eddies led after one quarter 14-12.
The Bucks' Gordon Bryant had six first quarter points, and the Eddies Roth had five points.
Edwardsburg opened up the second quarter by taking it straight to Buchanan. Several Buchanan turnovers gave the Eddies a 18-12 lead. The Bucks went on a 4-0 run once again to narrow the Eddies' lead to 22-18, only to have Shuttleworth go in for a basket to give the Eddies a six point lead. Bucks' P.J. Pollock hit a trey at the end of the second quarter to give Edwardsburg a 31-30 lead at halftime.
The Bucks began the third quarter by regaining the lead on the Eddies. They opened up a 38-33 lead midway through the quarter. The Bucks pressure defense forced the Eddies into turnovers, which led to easy points for the Bucks. They only allowed the Eddies eight third quarter points, two by Shuttleworth.
The Eddies were outscored 19-8.
The fourth quarter showed the Bucks with a 55-41 lead, which increased to 59-43 with 4:32 remaining. The Bucks once again only allowed the Eddies to score eight quarter points. They outscored the Eddies 18-8 in the final quarter to seal the victory.
The Bucks sweep the season series with the Eddies.
Tony Robinson led the Bucks with 20 points, Bryant with 14 points, and Brian Shannon with nine.
The Eddies were led by Roth with 14 points, while Shuttleworth added 13.
"They hit the boards hard. We played three good quarters of basketball. They also made easy transition buckets," added Kozinski. "Reid McBeth and his players did a heck of a job."
The Eddies fall to 5-12 overall, and 2-9 in the conference. The Eddies, who are currently on a four-game losing streak, will now host Brandywine Friday night.
in the last home game of the season.
The J.V. Eddies beat the Bucks 41-38 in the game played earlier.
Jeff Fisher