By By SCOTT NOVAK / Vigilant/Argus
CASSOPOLIS -- A 13-0 run late in the third quarter broke open a close contest Wednesday night at Ross Beatty High School and led the Cassopolis Rangers to a 57-40 non-conference victory over Dowagiac..
The win was the second of the season for the Lady Rangers, who edged Lawton in their season opener on Tuesday night, 60-55.
The Chieftains held an early 6-2 lead, but Jealyn Foston took care of that with some free throws and a late first quarter basket as the Lady Rangers grabbed an 8-6 lead at the quarter's end.
The Rangers, behind a three-pointer from Kelsey Gordon, grabbed a 21-15 lead with 1:40 to play in the first half, only to have the Chieftains rally to tie the game at 21-21 on a free throw by Jennifer Pilot with 19.4 seconds remaining in the first half.
The Lady Rangers blew the game open in the third quarter and then maintained a comfortable 12 to 14 point lead throughout the fourth quarter.
Gordon led the Lady Rangers and all scorers with 17 points. Foston added 15 points.
Jennifer Pilot led Dowagiac with 15 points, while Brianne Reist added 10 points.
The Ranger junior varsity edged Dowagiac in a thriller, 38-34.
Dee Dee Hawkins led all scorers with 18 points. Janae Danzy added 10 points.
DOWAGIAC 40
Ashley Brewer 1 1-2 3, Amy Wood 0 1-2 1, Brittany Winters 2 0-0 4, Kim Luthringer 0 0-0 0, Brianne Reist 4 2-2 10, Jennifer Pilot 5 5-10 15, Elizabeth Fryman 0 0-0 0, Holly Lowe 1 0-0 3, Valerie Johnson 0 0-0 0, Brittney Reist 2 0-0 4. Totals: 15 9-16 40.
CASSOPOLIS 57
Amanda Weiss 1 0-0 2, Jealyn Foston 6 3-7 15, Kelsey Gordon 8 2-7 20, Diane Alford 2 1-3 5, Chaquitta Danzy 0 1-2 1, Nikitas Nelson 1 2-2 4, Jessica Frucci 0 0-0 0, Cona Marshall 4 0-1 8, Shanice Thompson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 23 9-22 57
Dowagiac 6 15 14 11 -- 40
Cassopolis 8 13 23 13 -- 57
Three-point baskets: Cassopolis 2 (Gordon 2), Dowagiac 1 (Lowe). Total fouls: Dowagiac 19, Cassopolis 16.
CASSOPOLIS 60
Jealyn Foston 7 4-6 18, Kelsey Gordon 2 5-10 11; Diane Alford 2 1-3 5; Chaquita Danzy 4 2-4 10; Nikki Nelson 0 2-4 2; Jessica Frucci 2 1-2 5; Cona Marshall 4 1-2 9. Totals: 21 16-31 60
LAWTON 55
Whitney Henderson 0 1-4 1; Carla Dezsi 0 1-5 1; Rachael Thomas 1 0-0 2; Beth Walters 3 2-6 8; Elizabeth Perkins 10 2-2 22, Leslie Angle 6 2-2 15; Elize Forrest 3 0-2 6. Totals: 23 8-21 55
Cassopolis 19 9 15 17 -- 60
Lawton 8 16 15 16 -- 55