By Staff
CASSOPOLIS -- The host Lady Rangers outscored Buchanan 4-2 in overtime Thursday night to remain undefeated.
Cassopolis (6-0, 2-0) rallied from a 38-31 deficit heading into the fourth quarter to hand defending league champion Buchanan its second straight conference setback, 48-46..
Buchanan dropped a 56-54 decision to River Valley on Tuesday night.
Foul trouble caused Cassopolis early problems as all-conference performer Jealyn Foston was forced to sit out much of the first quarter with two quick fouls.
Cassopolis coach Floyd Foston also sat down another starter in the first quarter, Kelsey Gordon.
With its top two scorers on the bench, the Lady Rangers continued to hang tough with Buchanan, which was playing its second straight game without standout Ashlee Layher.
The Lady Rangers grabbed a 12-11 lead after one period of play and led 24-23 at the intermission.
Buchanan (0-2) appeared to seize control of the contest late in the third quarter as a small scoring spurt gave the Lady Bucks a seven-point advantage heading into the final eight minutes.
Neither team was able to score much in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Rangers edged the Lady Bucks 10-6 to tie the game and send it into the extra session.
Again, neither team was solid offensively in the three-minute overtime session, but Cassopolis scored a pair of baskets to pull out the victory.
Foston led all scorers with 19 points. Cona Marshall added 11 points and Kelsey Gordon four.
Two of Gordon's four points came in the form of two free throws with 3.5 seconds remaining in overtime to give Cassopolis the victory.
Holly Tibbs led Buchanan with 13 points.
BUCHANAN 46
Lindsey Ross 0 0-0 0, Lindsay Colip 0 0-0 0, Kotia Backus 0 0-1 0, Deedee Thompson 6 0-1 12, Sheena Bradshaw 5 0-2 11, Stacy Burr 0 0-0 0, Holly Tibbs 5 3-3 13, Ali Bender 3 0-0 9, Michelle Johnson 0 1-2 1. Totals: 19 4-9 46.
CASSOPOLIS 48
Amanda Weiss 0 0-0 0, Jealyn Foston 8 1-2 19, Kelsey Gordon 1 2-2 4, Diane Alford 0 0-1 0, Chaquitta Danzy 1 0-0 3, Nikitas Nelson 2 1-1 5, Jessica Frucci 2 0-2 4, Cona Marshall 4 1-2 11, Shanice Thompson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 19 5-10 48.
Buchanan 11 12 15 6 2 -- 46
Cassopolis 12 12 10 10 4 -- 48
Three-point goals: Cassopolis 5 (Marshall 2, Foston 2, Danzy), Buchanan 4 (Bender 3, Bradshaw 1); Total fouls: Cassopolis 15, Buchanan 12. Fouled out: Tibbs (B)
Cassopolis…53
Berrien Springs…40
The Cassopolis Rangers remained undefeated in both the Lakeland Conference and overall following their 53-40 victory over host Berrien Springs Tuesday night.
The Lady Rangers seized control of the game in the first half, outscoring the Lady Shamrocks, 32-17.
Berrien Springs tried to battle back in the second half, but managed to only outscore Cassopolis, 23-21.
Cona Marshall led a balanced Lady Ranger attack with 13 points. Kelsey Gordon chipped in with 12 points before fouling out. Jealyn Foston and Diane Alford both scored nine points.
The Lady Rangers return to action on Thursday when they travel to face their arch rival Edwardsburg.
CASSOPOLIS 53
Amanda Weiss 0 0-2 0, Jealyn Foston 3 3-5 9, Kelsey Gordon 6 0-0 12, Diane Alford 3 3-5 9, Chaquitta Danzy 1 0-0 2, Nikatas Nelson 1 0-0 2, Jessica Frucci 2 0-2 4, Cona Marshall 6 1-2 13, Shanice Thompson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 22 7-16 53
BERRIEN SPRINGS 40
Maria Huaringa 0 0-1 0, Andrea Murdock 2 1-6 5, Christine Drach 5 1-1 11, Kaitlyn Lemon 3 1-2 7, Lindsey Davis 3 2-3 10, Samantha Cooper 1 4-6 6, Ashley Pagel 0 0-2 0, Jaime Turner 0 1-4 1. Totals: 14 10-25 40
Cassopolis 18 14 9 12 -- 53
Berrien 8 9 13 10 -- 40
Three-point Baskets: Cassopolis 0, Berrien 2 (Davis 2); Total fouls): Cassopolis 20, Berrien 18. Fouled out: Gordon (C), Lemon (BS).