BUCHANAN — Visiting Dowagiac pulled away late in a 61-52 non-league boys basketball victory over Buchanan in the season opener for both schools Tuesday night.

The Bucks’ season got off to a rough start when Dowagiac came out on fire as the took control early, going up 10-0 before Buchanan could find a basket.

Buchanan was able to battle back and keep the game from getting out of hand with the help of seven first-half points from junior Andrew McGuirt.

Buchanan went into the locker room down 26-16 at the half.

Dowagiac senior Brandon Winchester-Jones led all players with 11 points in the first half.

Dowagiac started to pull away in the third quarter, taking a commanding 39-28 lead. The Bucks resiliency and physical play had kept them in the game, but they started to play solid team basketball as the game progressed.

Buchanan closed the gap to 44-41 before the third ended.

The Chieftains used their superior size and skill throughout their roster, but some sloppy play cost them at inopportune times.

Buchanan was able to get within two points of tying the game in the fourth quarter, 47-45, before Dowagiac began to pull away, this time for good.

Winchester-Jones led all players with 21 total points and Buchanan’s Jarrett Thomas led his team with 20.

Rounding out the game’s top scorers were 6-foot-5 Dowagiac senior Keoante Blackamore (17) and Buchanan’s McGuirt (10).