By By MICHAEL BASHARA / Niles Daily Star
BERRIEN SPRINGS -- Buchanan's basketball team heads into the Christmas break 4-0 on the season and 2-0 in conference as it defeated Berrien Springs Friday night 71-29.
Early in the game it looked like it might be close. Berrien Springs was able to run its offense, and for the entire first period it was a two-point ball game. Berrien actually had the last little run and led 16-14 at the end of the first period .
Buchanan's pressure defense started to take control in the second period as the Bucks outscored Berrien 19-7 to take a 33-23 lead into the locker room at half time.
The second half was all Buchanan. Berrien scored a total of six points in the second half while Buchanan put up 38.
Buchanan got balanced scoring, putting four players in double figures. Tony Robinson led the way with 13 points, including a first-quarter dunk on a pass from Gordon Bryant.
Zach Bonham scored 11 points. Bonham scored seven of the those points in the first half.
Robinson not only led with 13 points, he also led in rebounding with seven. Both Bonham and Quinton Buish had six rebounds.
Jordan Lee had five rebounds to go along with his 10 points, all in the second quarter. Also point guard Brian Shannon tallied 10 points on two layups and two 3-pointers.
Bryant led the team with five assists while Brandon Kyles and Shannon each had four as the Bucks played very unselfish basketball.
McBeth was very pleased to be undefeated heading into a two-week break.
The evening started better for Berrien as it won the freshmen game, 64-37. Aaron Koziel scored seven points for the Buchanan freshmen and Mark Sebasty added six points. True Sulier chipped in with five points.
Not only did the freshmen for Buchanan fall, but so did the previously-undefeated junior varsity. Buchanan was down by one point with seconds left to play. The Bucks got a shot up, but it didn't fall. Berrien Springs got the rebound and was fouled, making one free throw to make the final score 52-50.
The Bucks will next be in action on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at home against Marcellus.