By By JEFF FISHER / Vigilant/Argus
The Edwardsburg Eddies were hoping that with a Chicago Bulls rendition of the starting lineup and a raucous student body section that the home team would come away with a victory Friday night.
But visting Buchanan proved to be stronger down the stretch as it defeated the Eddies 63-38 in a Lakeland conference contest.
Both teams were tied 6-6 midway through the first quarter, but Buchanan led 10-6 after one period.
The second quarter belonged to Buchanan.
The Buck's sophomore guard Avery Brown came off the bench to score 13 second quarter points to go with three, 3-pointers to give the Bucks a 29-18 lead at halftime.
Tony Hayes of the Eddies scored eight second quarter points.
Buchanan continued to pour it on in the second half as they opened up a 42-21 lead midway through the third period, and led 42-23 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bucks outscored the Eddies 13-5 in the third quarter,
The Bucks increased their lead to 50-34 midway through the final quarter, and the Buck's Marquis Hall's 3-point shot at the buzzer at the end of the game finished off the Bucks' the win.
The Bucks (9-9, 7-5 Lakeland) were led by Marquis Hall with 21 points to go along with four steals and nine boards. Brown finished with 18 points, and Damian Bryant with 12 points and five assists. Senior Eric Cole did not play due to a hamstring pull.
It was Buchanan's second win of the season over Edwardsburg. The Bucks won 64-50 earlier in the season.
Hayes led the Eddies with 15 points and David Daniels added 13.
The Eddies (6-10, 2-9 Lakeland), were without their leading scorer, junior guard Adam Hancock.