By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN -- In its first year as a member of the Lakeland Conference, the Bridgman basketball team knocked off the defending champion Thursday night in a 40-36 victory at Buchanan.
The win didn't come easy, however for the Bees (7-2 overall, 3-2 Lakeland). After leading by as much as 12 points in the second half, Buchanan (4-6, 2-3) surged to tie the game halfway through the fourth quarter.
Junior Dee Dee Thompson keyed the Bucks' comeback effort with nine points in the fourth quarter before fouling out with 3:07 left in the game.
Leanna Rice made a 3-pointer with 1:35 to give Bridgman a 38-35 lead and Melani Demler made a pair of free throws to stretch the lead to 40-36 with nine seconds to go. Buchanan was unable to score.
Both teams struggled offensively, Buchanan shooting 26 percent (12-of-46) from the floor and Bridgman shooting 29 percent (14-of-48) from the floor.
Bridgman….40
Buchanan….36
Bridgman: Ashley Miller 1 0-0 3, Leanna Rice 4 4-6 13, Jennifer Malm 0 0-0 0, Heather Seyfred 1 3-4 5, Miranda Strefling 3 0-1 7, Lauren Busse 0 0-1 0, Melani Demler 5 2-3 12. Totals: 14 9-15 40
Buchanan: Lindsay Colip 1 1-1 3, Dee Dee Thompson 4 4-5 12, Ashlee Layher 0 4-4 4, Sheena Bradshaw 1 1-2 3, Holly Tibbs 4 2-3 10, Ali Bender 2 0-0 4, Michelle Johnson 0 0-2 0. Totals: 12 12-17 36
Bridgman 7 8 17 8--40
Buchanan 9 3 9 15--36
3-point shooting: Bridgman 3 (Miller, Rice, Strefling), Buchanan none. Team fouls (fouled out): Bridgman 16 (none), Buchanan 16 (Thompson, Tibbs). Team records: Bridgman 7-2 (3-2 Lakeland), Buchanan 4-6 (2-3)