STURGIS — The five-game winning streak of the Dowagiac boys basketball team came to an end Friday night as host Sturgis defeated the Chieftains 58-53.

The win moved the Trojans into a first-place tie with Dowagiac atop the Wolverine Conference South Division standings. The two teams are now 4-1 in division play.

Sturgis improved to 9-2 overall.One of those losses came at the hands of the Chieftains in mid-December.

Dowagiac is now 8-4 overall.

The Trojans jumped out to 5-0 lead, but had to settle for just a 7-4 advantage after the opening eight minutes of play.

Sturgis increased its lead to 27-19 by halftime as it outscored Dowagiac 20-15 in the second quarter.

The Chieftains, led by senior Jamin Hunt, made a run at the Trojans in the third quarter.

Hunt hit a 3-point to open the second half and would add three more triples as Dowagiac cut the Sturgis lead to 42-41 heading to the final quarter.

Despite constant Chieftain pressure, the Trojans were able to push the lead up to 54-45 with 1:51 remaining in the contest, but it was far from over.

Hunt continued his torrid outside shooting as he sixth 3-pointer of the contest and a three-point play by D.J. Lanier cut the Sturgis lead down to three points.

Dowagiac would get no closer.

Brecken Stewart led the Trojans with 14 points, while Drew Murphy also finished with 14 points.

Hunt finished with a game-high 20 points to lead the Chieftains. J.J. Smith added 16 points and Lanier seven.

Girls basketball

Sturgis snapped a two-game losing streak with a 60-41 win over Dowagiac Friday night.

The Trojans (6-7, 3-3 Wolverine South) led 10-0 right out of the gates and never looked back.

Dowagiac (3-9, 1-4 Wolverine South) dropped its fourth game in a row.

Baleigh Brazo led Sturgis with 13 points, while Lindsay Kiss added eight.

Amiyah Smith scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Chieftains, who also got six points from twin sisters Tania Parker-Wilson and Tamia Parker-Wilson.

Dowagiac will host Bridgman Tuesday night.