By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Buchanan's girls' basketball team dug itself a hole Thursday that even a furious fourth quarter comeback could get it out of. The Bucks lost 48-40 at home to Berrien Springs.
The Bucks, after taking an initial 5-2 lead, were outscored 18-4 by Berrien Springs to close the first period. The Bucks shot well in the quarter, but turnovers limited their opportunities.
Buchanan hit 4-of-8 shots in the first period, but turned the ball over nine times. The Shamrocks, meanwhile, hit 8-of-14 in the quarter, led by Christine Drach's eight points.
The second quarter was more of the same, as the Bucks turned the ball over six times while scoring six points. Buchanan shot 3-of-14 in the period and didn't score its first points until 2:09 remaining until halftime.
In a 12-minute period spanning the first two quarters, Berrien Springs went on a 27-4 run that gave them a 29-15 halftime lead.
After halftime, the Bucks began to get their offense going, getting the ball inside to their two star players Dee Dee Thompson and Hayley Cashier. But Thompson was limited with foul trouble all night. She picked up her fourth foul with three minutes remaining in the third quarter, sending her to the bench.
Buchanan couldn't trim any off the Shamrocks' lead, however, and headed to the fourth quarter down 41-27.
In the final period, it was Berrien Springs who suffered from turnovers. A few steals and some tough play from Cashier got Buchanan to within six points with less than a minute remaining.
Trailing 46-40 with 40 second left, Buchanan had the ball, but a traveling call gave it back to Berrien Springs. The Shamrocks were then fouled and hit the free throws to finish off the Bucks.
Thompson finished the game leading Buchanan with 11 points. She fouled out with 3:18 remaining in the game, however. Cashier was the only other Buck in double figures with 10.
Cashier also led Buchanan in rebounding, grabbing 12 boards for a double-double.
Berrien Springs……..48
Buchanan……………..40
Berrien Springs (48) - Heather Rodgers 2 1-2 5, Sydney Mead 4 2-2 10, Gabby Saitz 0 0-0 0, Christine Drach 6 2-3 14, Samantha Cooper 6 1-3 13, Ashley Pagel 1 1-3 3, Michelle Rudlaff 1 1-1 3. Totals: 20 8-14 48.
Buchanan (40) - Katie Backus 1 1-2 3, Dee Dee Thompson 5 1-2 11, Leteshia Shannon 1 0-0 2, Sheena Bradshaw 1 0-0 2, Ashley pointer 2 0-0 5, Danielle Bachleda 2 3-5 7, Hayley Cashier 5 0-0 10. Totals: 16 5-9 40.
Berrien 20 29 41 48 - 48
Buchanan 9 15 27 40 - 56
Halftime score - BS 36, BU 18
3-point shooting - Berrien Springs 3 (Brown 2, Goodwin); Buchanan 5 (Radde 5). Rebounds - Berrien Springs 41; Buchanan 44 (Dreher 10). Fouls (fouled out) - Berrien Springs 19 (Ollie); Buchanan 9 (none). Records - Berrien Springs 2-1; Buchanan 2-0.