By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com

LUDINGTON — Something would have to give when the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division leaders squared off on Tuesday night.

In the end, it was the Fremont Packers who are alone at the top of the standings after an exciting 41-35 victory over the Ludington Orioles. The game was played in Hawley Gymnasium at Ludington.

“Credit to Fremont, they beat us,” said Orioles coach Warren Stowe. “I told the players I don’t really want to hear about fouls and injuries. We have to find a way to win, and we work so hard, and then in those winning moments, we do things that we shouldn’t be doing.”

Despite the loss, Ludington holds a substantial 55-18 lead in the all-time series between the two teams. The two began playing each other in 1973. But the Orioles had won 19 straight against the Packers, who were determined not to let that string reach 20 when they took to the court Tuesday.

The Packers bolted to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter, but the Orioles weren’t about to simply fold up the tents and roared back and tied the game on Elianna Jeruzal’s 3-pointer late. Ludington took the lead, 12-10, at the buzzer.

Neither team could break the others defense in the second period, but the Packers managed a 7-5 edge to tie the game, 17-17 at the half.

Ludington appeared ready to assert its will on Fremont in the third, outscoring the Packers, 12-6 in the period to slip into a 29-23 lead.

A pair of free throws by Jeruzal gave the Orioles their last lead of the contest, 35-34. But the Packers ended the game with a 7-0 run to take the win.

“Our girls battled foul trouble, with four starters playing with four in the fourth quarter, and we overcame a poor shooting night (just 27 percent),” Fremont coach Pete Zerfas said. “But our offense was great. This was a huge win for our team and program. But we understand we are only five games into a 12-game league season and have a long way to go.

“Ludington is the gold standard for girls teams in this area, winning the last five conference championships, so this puts us in a good position. But, we are still taking it one game at a time.”

Mia Clemence paced the Packers with 16 points and Jessica Bennett followed with 15.

Jeruzal and Madelyn Kenyon scored nine points apiece to lead the Orioles while Peyton Welch added eight.

Fremont improved to 9-2 overall and 5-0 in the conference with a road trip to Manistee, another WMC Lakes foe, scheduled  for Thursday.

The Orioles fell to 6-6 overall and 4-1 in the conference and will travel to Oakridge on Friday for another WMC Lakes contest.