Lakers down Portagers at buzzer

BEAR LAKE — Freshman Hannah Harrington scored a layup at the buzzer to lift Bear Lake to a 41-39 West Michigan D League victory over Onekama on Tuesday night.

It was the second close win for the Lakers against the Portagers in a little more than a month after they pulled out a one-point win in the season opener.

“It was another thriller,” said Bear Lake coach Scott Brown. “All in all, it was a good game all the way around.”

Emileigh Ferguson scored 10 points to lead the Lakers (7-3, 6-3) to their sixth straight win while Jaimey Ferguson had eight points and 11 rebounds and Yumi Babinec scored eight to go with eight rebounds and five steals. Tobi Schoedel chipped in seven points and 11 rebounds, Harrington had four and 13 rebounds while Sarah Hilliard scored four.

Jennica Mathieu paced the Portagers (4-6, 4-5) with 14 points and seven rebounds, Taylor Hagen had nine points and five rebounds while Danielle Ward scored eight to go with 13 rebounds. Nicole Slater scored four while Lindsay Newburg and Kelly Koon each had two.

Bear Lake led 12-7 at the end of the first quarter and 24-22 at halftime. Both teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 33 and it once again came down to the final ticks as Schoedel grabbed a long rebound and passed it to Harrington for the winning shot.

“We had our chances and had a good shot,” said Onekama coach Nathan Bradford. “I’m proud of the effort.”

The two teams will meet up again in a Class D district quarterfinal.

“Hopefully we get them the third time at district,” Bradford said.