PAW PAW — Seeking a chance to sweep the season series with host Paw Paw Tuesday night, the Dowagiac girls basketball team came up just short in a 49-44 Wolverine Conference non-divisional loss.

Dowagiac (3-8) lost its third consecutive contest, despite leading by six points in the third quarter.

“We played better as a group,” said Dowagiac coach Brent Nate. “The girls fought hard for four quarters and we just came up a little short. If we can play with that effort every game good things will happen on a consistent basis.”

The Chieftains dressed just eight players, including Allie Conner, who has been battling illness the last several games.

Dowagiac led 10-9 after one, but trailed 20-19 heading to the locker room at halftime.

Paw Paw rallied from six points down in the third quarter to take a 32-29 lead into the final eight minutes of action.

Kiarra Herson led all scorers with 17 points for Paw Paw, which improved to 3-8 with the victory.

The Chieftains were led by Amiyah Smith’s 13 points, while Kellyn Daly added 11 points and Taylor Pye nine.

Dowagiac heads to Sturgis for a Wolverine Conference South Division contest set to start at 5:45 p.m. Friday.