Glen Lake seized sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference with a 58-49 win over Buckley girls basketball Wednesday, powered by Lydia Fosmore’s game-high 27 points.
“We were playing solid defense, and we were moving well as a team. We had good chemistry.
We knew that this was gonna be a good game and that Buckley is a good team. We came out right from the jump,” Fosmore said. “We have to keep doing what we were doing in the first round (of the season). Stay focused, keep our heads down, stay humble, stay positive, and keep working.”
Fosmore scored 13 points in the first half and 14 in the second, as Glen Lake (9-4, 7-0 NWC) held onto the lead against a quality Buckley team (8-2, 6-1 NWC).
Glen Lake sophomore Delanie Dembowski had 17 points and five rebounds, followed by Laila Shimek with seven points, seven rebounds, and one monster block that started a game-sealing run late in the third quarter.
“We brought the energy from the start,” Shimek said. “We have to keep powering through, practicing hard, and working as a team. We have to keep getting better and better.”
Fosmore found her shot quickly, with her first of five 3-pointers coming at the start of the game.
Glen Lake sophomore guard Alayna Ottenbacher added four points and four assists on the night.
Three players led Buckley in double figures, including Lucy Moyer with 15 points, three blocks, and Mikala Kulawiak with 13 points, three assists and three steals.
Kayla Milarch added 11 points for the Bears.
“(Glen Lake) played really well. We had some mistakes tonight that we need to correct. I didn’t see the intensity that I’d like to see. We have to fix that and play again Friday,” Buckley coach Jared Milarch said.
Glen Lake jumped out and snagged a six-point lead early that was quickly erased by the Bears to go into the second frame (GL 14-13).
Dembowske quickly earned two fouls halfway through the first, and Buckley’s vaunted press slowed down the Lakers’ offense.
Fosmore began heating up for the Lakers after a 3-point shot gave Glen Lake the slight lead that was followed by a steal of her own, leading to another 3-pointer by the junior guard to give Glen Lake a 28-23 lead at halftime.
Buckley jumped out to a quick start in the second half to cut the Lakers lead, 28-26, but couldn’t retake it. Fosmore scored 13 more points in the third quarter to lead Glen Lake to a 43-35 lead. Dembowske earned her fourth foul with a couple of minutes remaining in the third, but the Lakers filled the void quickly before she could return and rack up a half dozen points in the final frame.
The Bears take on Onekama in another important NWC matchup Friday at 7 p.m., and the Lakers host Pine River Friday at 7 p.m.
