By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
In order to win Friday nights ball game aganst River Valley, Buchanan needed to step it up a notch and play harder offensive and defensively.
Though the Bucks kept the lead throughtout the whole game, the Mustangs played tough on both ends of the court, but it was their defense that gave Buchanan problems early in the first.
River Valley held Buchanan to only 14 points in the first half, which is pretty low scoring for Buchanan. The Bucks had trouble scoring and hanging on to the ball, but they were able to end the first up 14-4.
In the second half Buchanan was able to bring it together enough to give them a comfortable lead. They were up 24-11 halfway through the second. They controlled the ball better and were able to get the ball inside allowing them get more points.
Tony Robinsons's dunk late in the second and Jordan Lee's last second steal was enough to get Buchanan pumped up going into halftime ahead 31-18.
Buchanan finally came aound in the third quarter. They played tough defense causing some turnovers by River Valley. Jordan Lee had 6 points back to back for Buchanan early in the third. The Bucks were able to almost double their score from the first half alone ending the quarter 42-24.
Buchanan only allowed River Valley to score 6 points halfway through the fourth. River Valleys tough defense in the first half seemed to take away most of their energy throughout the second half, especially in the final quarter.
Tony Robinson scored the last two points for Buchanan dunking it from a pass assisted by Gordon Bryant. Jeremy Bates scored a last second 3-pointer for River Valley, but Buchanan walked away with the 52-39 victory, keeping them undefeated with a 6-0 record.
The Bucks play Edwardsburg at home Tuesday night.