By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Brandywine's varsity basketball team continues to improve as the season moves on.
Wednesday night, the Bobcats took a 51-45 win in the consolation game against Lake Michigan Catholic at the Niles Holiday Tournament.
After trailing the Lakers by five points, 31-26, midway through the third period, the Bobcats made a comeback and cut LMC's lead to one, 34-33, entering the fourth.
Baskets by Caleb Frazier and D.J. Elrod put Brandywine on top, 37-34, to start the final quarter.
A three-point play on LMC's side tied the game back at 37 and a pair of free throws put the Lakers back in the lead.
The lead changed back and fourth throughout the period, but baskets by Matt Beaver, a three from Adam Prescott and two free throws from Billy McDonald gave the Bobcats a 48-45 lead with under one minute to go.
Matt Wieger made a big steal with 29 seconds left and was fouled, putting him on the line for two successful free throws to bring the score to 50-45.
Another steal from Beaver on LMC's next possession also put him on the line, going 1-for-2 to seal the victory.
Prescott led the Bobcats in scoring with 14 points. McDonald added eight and Beaver and Elrod both had seven.