By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
In the first half of Tuesday's home match against New Buffalo, Brandywine certainly didn't look like a team with just four victories.
The Bobcats jumped all over the Bison from the opening tip to take control of the game early and never let up in a 50-24 victory. It was Brandywine's second win in a row, the first time all season the Bobcats (5-10, 3-8 Lakeland Athletic Conference) have accomplished that feat.
Brandywine came out shooting well, hitting four of its first five shots in the first quarter. The Bobcats finished the period hitting 8-of-13 shots on their way to a 20-8 lead.
In the second quarter, Brandywine's hot shooting continued from behind the 3-point line. Kalie Newman hit two 3-pointers to start the quarter, as the Bobcats hit four 3s in the first half.
The Bobcats finished the first half hitting half of their shots, going 13-for-26 from the field, and leading New Buffalo 34-11.
While Brandywine's offense flourished, the Bison stopped themselves on the offensive end. In the first quarter, the Bobcats did a good job of limiting New Buffalo's shots and open looks at the basket. In the second period, however, the Bison got plenty of chances inside the lane, but couldn't hit.
In that second quarter, New Buffalo went 2-for-16, missing many put back attempts off offensive rebounds. In the half, the Bison hit 6-of-27 shots.
Junior Kelli Zache led the charge for Brandywine in the first half. She scored nine points, all coming in the first period. Newman finished the half with 10 points.
The second half featured a lot of shots, but not many baskets from either team. The two teams combined to hit 5-of-27 shots in the third period. New Buffalo actually outscored Brandywine in the quarter 8-6.
The poor shooting continued in the fourth quarter. New Buffalo made 1-of-12 shots in the final period. In the game, the Bison shot less than 18 percent from the field, going 10-for-56.
While the Bobcats started hot, they gradually cooled down and their shooting percentage also dropped as the game went on. After shooting 50 percent in the first half, they connected on 30 percent of their shots in the second half. Brandywine finished the game hitting 18-of-50 shots.
The two schools combined to throw up 106 shots in the game, hitting just 28 of those attempts.
Brandywine's victory comes after the Bobcats beat Coloma 45-34 on Thursday. In that game, they also got out to a fast start that propelled them to victory.
Roeder said his team is playing its best basketball of the season right now, as evidenced by the back-to-back victories.
Roeder said part of the reason the Bobcats' have improved is because they are finally playing at home. Brandywine played its first 11 games on the road due to water damage to the school's gymnasium floor.
The home games have come just in time, Roeder said, as the Bobcats gear up for postseason play starting Nov. 15. The draw for Brandywine's district tournament will be held at 9 p.m. tonight at River Valley.
After their big first halves, Newman and Zache didn't score after halftime as Roeder gave considerable playing time to his bench players. Freshman Katie Smallwood scored five points in the second half and nine in the game. She also led the Bobcats with nine rebounds.
Brandywine's junior varsity team also enjoyed an easy victory Tuesday, beating New Buffalo 46-19. Ashley Casey led the Bobcats with 11 points. Kendra Zache scored nine and Michelle Smith added eight for Brandywine.
Brandywine's win-streak will be in jeopardy Thursday when the Bobcats face undefeated Bridgman at home.