By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac's inability to hold on to the basketball Thursday night spelled doom for the Chieftains.
Dowagiac turned the ball over more than 40 times according to coach Greg Blomgren in a 66-51 Wolverine Conference loss to host Plainwell.
The loss was the first for the Chieftains, who are playing their inaugural season in the conference. Dowagiac drops into a four-way tie for first place with Plainwell, Gull Lake and Otsego.
"This was the best all-around team we have played," Blomgren said. "They are the best balanced team that we have seen."
The Chieftains (5-3, 5-1) led 12-6 early in the contest. By the end of the opening quarter, the Lady Trojans held a 17-16 advantage which it stretched to 40-23 by halftime.
Dowagiac started to whittle away the lead in the second half, getting down to eight points (53-45) with just over five minutes to play.
It was all Plainwell from there. The Lady Trojans outscored the Chieftains 13-6 over the final five minutes of the contest to pull out the victory.
Plainwell's Bianca Harmon led all scorers with 20 points, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line.
Torie Lowe led Dowagiac with 16 points, Katy Stuppy finished with 15 points, while Holly Lowe and Katie Roach both had eight points.
The Dowagiac freshmen basketball team picked up a 45-27 victory over Plainwell.
Britnee Allerton led the Chieftains with 18 points, while Kalen Nickens finished with 13 points.
Dowagiac's junior varsity squad was defeated by the Lady Trojans, 39-18.
Tasia Diaz scored eight points for the Chieftains, who also got three points each from Stephanie Grabemeyer and Brittany Gnatz.
DOWAGIAC 51
Holly Lowe 3 0-0 8, Torie Lowe 6 0-1 16, Kristy Cooper 1 0-2 2, Beth Williams 1 0-2 2, Katy Stuppy 4 3-4 15, Katie Roach 4 0-0 8. Totals: 19 3-9 51
PLAINWELL 66
Hali Dolnik 4 0-1 8, Adrean Barby 1 1-2 3, Bianca Harmon 5 10-10 20, Sophie Hartman 3 0-2 9, Gracie Howrigon 4 1-2 9, Lexi Adams 2 0-2 4, Jenny Rofts 3 7-8 13. Totals: 22 19-27 66
Dowagiac 16 23 40 51
Plainwell 17 40 53 66
Three-point baskets: H. Lowe (D) 2, T. Lowe (D) 4, Stuppy (D) 4, Hartman (P) 3. Total fouls: Dowagiac 20, Plainwell 13. Fouled out: H. Lowe (D). Technical fouls: None