Lowell Ends Merrillville’s 20-Game Streak with 50–47 Win The Merrillville Lady Pirates came to town riding a 20-game winning streak against Lowell dating back to the 2005–06 season. Lowell, who entered the game with a 14–6 record, looked to change that against a big Pirate squad that filled the paint and limited penetration. The visitors held Lowell to just seven first-quarter points and took a 15–7 lead after one. Brooke Dawson started the game by giving the Red Devils a 2–0 advantage after hitting a jumper, but the Pirates responded with an 11–0 run to go up nine. Lowell head coach Kelly Chavez called a timeout with 3:42 remaining to stop the bleeding. Josie Laub split a pair of free throws after getting fouled on a drive to the basket, making it 11–3. Merrillville then turned the ball over when Hayden Blocker stole the inbounds pass and scored, cutting the lead to 11–5. Melaney Williams scored at the rim to restore an eight-point lead, and Jordyn Fort grabbed an offensive rebound to stretch the margin to 15–5 with 1:36 left. Tatum Claus banked one in late as the Pirates led 15–7 after the first quarter. Williams opened the second quarter with a drive to make it 17–7, but a minute later senior Erin Mukes went to the bench with her third foul. Merrillville continued to foul, and Laub went to the line twice off an out-of-bounds set, making it 17–9. The Pirates scored the next two baskets to lead 21–9, again off offensive rebounds. Blocker grabbed an offensive board and hit two free throws to make it 21–11. After several turnovers by both teams, Alivia Madison drove to the basket, drew a foul, and sank both free throws for a 21–14 score. At the 1:03 mark, Gatlin Hanrath attacked the glass, was fouled, and made one of two to cut it to 21–15. Laub then stole the ball and was fouled, hitting both free throws to make it 21–17. Madison knocked down a corner three with 29 seconds left to make it 21–20. After another Pirate turnover, Lowell hit one of two from the line to tie the game at 21–21 at halftime. Merrillville committed 14 turnovers in the first half, while Lowell had 10. Laub led the Devils with six points, and Williams had seven for the Pirates. Lowell came out strong in the third quarter, forcing five Merrillville turnovers. Laub hit a three from the top of the key to give the Devils a 28–23 lead. Williams scored on an offensive rebound to cut it to three, but Lowell answered when Hanrath was fouled and hit both free throws. The Devils led 35–30 before Blocker scored off another offensive rebound to make it 37–30. With 1:33 left, Fort hit two free throws to make it 37–32. After a steal by Labas and a layup, Lowell went up 39–32. Fort scored on a drive, then completed a three-point play to make it 39–37 after three. Merrillville had committed 24 turnovers entering the fourth quarter. The Pirates took a 44–42 lead after Williams hit a three, then pushed it to 47–42 with another from the wing. Lowell responded when Laub was fouled on a three and hit two of three free throws. Dawson hit a jumper to make it 47–46. After another Merrillville turnover, Hanrath scored inside to give Lowell a 48–47 lead with 25 seconds left. Hanrath later hit two free throws with six seconds remaining to make it 50–47. Merrillville turned the ball over on its final possession, and Lowell escaped with a hard-fought victory, snapping the Pirates’ 20-game winning streak over the Red Devils. Merrillville finished with 30 turnovers, while Lowell had 17. Laub and Hanrath led Lowell with 11 points each.