By By SCOTT NOVAK / Vigilant/Argus
Two of the best teams in southwestern Michigan slugged it out Tuesday night at Ross Beatty High School in a battle of Lakeland Conference title contenders.
In the end, visiting Bridgman was too strong for the host Lady Rangers, who fell for the second time this year to the Lady Bees, 47-37.
Bridgman, ranked No. 8 in the latest Associated Press Class C poll, jumped out to an early 6-1 lead on Cassopolis, ranked No. 14 in Class C.
But the Lady Rangers battled back and didn't allow Bridgman to take control of the contest as it did in the first meeting between the two schools back on Sept. 7, a 63- 47 Lady Bees victory.
Despite the fast start, Bridgman was only able to maintain a two-point advantage when the first quarter ended.
Leading 15-13 heading into the second stanza, Bridgman tried to take control of the game once again.
Cassopolis (9-2, 6-2) was the one which took control of the game.
The Lady Rangers opened up a small advantage midway through the second quarter only to have Bridgman (12-0, 8-0) rally to cut the lead to 23-22 at the intermission.
The game remained tight throughout the second half with neither team able to really put the other one away.
Bridgman reclaimed the lead after three periods, 33-13, and then outscored Cassopolis 14-6 in the final eight minutes to remain undefeated.
Bridgman's Heather Seyfred led all scorers with 23 points. No other Lady Bee reached double figures.
Jealyn Foston led the Lady Rangers with 16 points. No other Cass player reached double figures.
BRIDGMAN 47
Ashley Miller 0 2-4 2; Leanna Rice 1 1-4 3; Jenny Malm 1 0-0 2; Heather Seyfred 7 7-8 23; Miranda Strefling 2 2-3 6; Sarah Svoboda 0 1-2 1; Melanie Dimler 5 0-0 10. Totals: 16 13-21 47
CASSOPOLIS 37
Amanda Weiss 1 0-0 3; Jealyn Foston 6 3-5 16; Kelsey Gordon 2 0-0 5; Dee Dee Hawkins 1 0-0 2; Nikitas Nelson 1 0-0 2; Michelle James 2 1-2 5; Shanice Thompson 2 0-0 4. Totals: 15 4-7 37
Bridgman 15 22 33 47
Cassopolis 13 23 31 37
Three-point baskets: Seyfreed (B)2, Weiss (C), Foston (C), Gordon (C). Total fouls: Bridgman 12, Cassopolis 18.