By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
A big fourth quarter lifted host Otsego to a 64-56 Wolverine Conference basketball victory over Dowagiac Thursday night in a battle of first place teams.
The Lady Bulldogs outscored the Chieftains 22-18 in the final period to pull out the victory.
Dowagiac trailed at nearly every quarter break. The Chieftains and Lady Bulldogs both scored 17 points in the opening quarter, however, Otsego grabbed a 32-25 lead at halftime.
The game remained close throughout with Otsego taking a 42-38 advantage into the final eight minutes.
"We were able to cut the lead to seven at halftime and we got a lead early in the third quarter just like we did against Three Rivers," Dowagiac coach Greg Blomgren said. "We started off sharp, but a couple of offensive rebounds where we didn't box out got us behind and we were chasing them the rest of the night."
Blomgren said that his team needs to be more physical if it is going to compete the rest of the regular season and in the tournament.
"Right now, there is a question about our toughness," he said. "We came out and played loose, but at the same time we are giving up too many easy baskets. We have challenged the kids to be more physical. We have to step it up if we want to compete with these teams."
DOWAGIAC 56
Holly Lowe 2 0-0 6, Torie Lowe 2 2-2 8, Kristy Cooper 2 0-1 4, Beth Williams 2 0-0 5, Katy Stuppy 9 7-10 31, Katie Roach 1 0-0 2. Totals: 18 9-13 56
OTSEGO 64
Brittany Bently 9 3-4 21, Halston McMullin 2 0-0 6, Brittany Potter 3 4-4 11, Michelle Holland 1 4-4 6, Lacee Boone 1 3-4 5, Kelsey Benjamin 1 3-4 5, Heather Kreuze 4 2-4 10. 21 19-24 64
Dowagiac 17 25 38 56
Otsego 17 32 42 64
3-point baskets: H. Lowe (D) 2, T. Lowe (D) 2, Williams (D), Stuppy (D) 6, McMullin (O) 2, Potter (O). Total fouls: Dowagiac 20, Otsego 16. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: None. Record: Dowagiac 7-5 overall, 7-3 Wolverine