By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - Even though their free throw shooting wasn't at its best Tuesday night, Buchanan (9-9, 8-4 LAC) made just enough to take a 36-32 Lakeland Conference win over Berrien Springs (3-14, 2-10 LAC).
The Lady Bucks hit 8-of-16 from the charity stripe, five coming in the pivotal third quarter, after the Lady Bucks found themselves down 23-19. Buchanan hit 4-of-6 in a one minute span to pull to within one, 23-24, with three minutes to play in the quarter.
Berrien tied the game at five on a 3-point bucket by Sydney Mead, who finished tied with a game high 11 points along with teammate Dana Sluder, midway through the first quarter.
Buchanan responded with a pair of long bombs of their own from Emily Ross and Hillary Faulkner to take an 11-5 lead. A field goal by Katie Backus put Buchanan up by six with 41 seconds. Andrea O'Dell cut the lead to four 13-9 to end the first quarter.
Berrien took over the lead, 19-15, in the second quarter going on a 10-2 run. Buchanan's Hayley Cashier, who finished the game with eight points, tied the game at 19 hitting two buckets before Berrien's Sydney Mead hit a shot to end the first half sending the Shamrocks in at the half up two 21-19. Sixteen first half turnovers by the Bucks assisted the Shamrocks to take control of the first half.
Berrien came out and extended their lead to four, 24-20 with four minutes to play in the third quarter and Berrien was giving the Lady Bucks a run for their money.
The Shamrocks cut the lead to two early in the fourth quarter but couldn't overcome the Lady Bucks 2-3 zone and Buchanan held on for the win. Ross led the Lady Bucks with 10 points and came away with three steals. Faulkner had five points and had four steals in the game.
Buchanan controlled the boards 26-16 with Danielle Bachleda pulling down nine and Cashier and Katie Backus each hauled in seven with Backus scoring nine points for the Lady Bucks. Turnovers were even as each team finished with 20 miscues in the game. Buchanan's game at Brandywine on Thursday has been moved to Friday night at the Bobcat gym because of parent/teachers conferences at Brandywine High School on Thursday evening.
Berrien Springs 9 21 24 32
Buchanan 13 19 28 36