DOWAGIAC — Host Dowagiac was unable to shake off the rust from its holiday break quick enough in a 45-38 loss to South Haven in non-divisional Wolverine Conference girls basketball Tuesday night.

The Rams (4-4) jumped out to an 11-6 first quarter lead and built up a 19-point advantage before the Chieftains (2-5) mounted a comeback in the second half.

Trailing 23-9 entering the third quarter, Dowagiac turned up the defensive pressure, forced numerous South Haven turnovers that it converted to easy baskets.

By the end of the third quarter, the Chieftains had cut the Rams’ advantage to 34-26.

The comeback continued into the final quarter.

Dowagiac finally caught South Haven with 3:31 remaining in the contest as Kellyn Daly hit a 3-pointer to give the Chieftains a 35-34 lead.

The Rams used a time out to regroup and force four consecutive turnovers, and used an offensive rebound basket, to turn one one-point deficit into an eight-point advantage.

Dowagiac would not score again until Daly hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Chieftains return to action Friday night as it hosts Vicksburg for a Wolverine Conference South Division doubleheader.

The girls play at 5:45 p.m. with the boys game to follow at approximately 7:15 p.m.

The Chieftain boys team did not play against South Haven Tuesday night as scheduled. The Rams forfeited their game with Dowagiac following an incident involving Paw Paw before Christmas.

 

SOUTH HAVEN 45, DOWAGIAC 38

At Dowagiac

SOUTH HAVEN 45

Jordyn Holland 2, Grace Lyons 0, Yazmine Hall 16, Bernadette Brown 7, Jordan Taylor 0, Maddie Sardina 0, Bri Young 0, Constance Phillips 6, Paeton Hayes 0, Alexus Smith 14. TOTALS: 17 10-17 45

DOWAGIAC 38

Hayden First 2, Tamia Parker-Wilson 3, Kellyn Daly 20, Greta Whitaker 0, Allie Conner 13, Jessie Hulett 0, LaReina Reina 0, Sara Allen 0. TOTALS: 15 4-14 38

 

South Haven    11        23        34        45

Dowagiac            6          9        26        38

3-point baskets: South Haven 1 (Hall), Dowagiac 4 (Daly 3, Conner). Total fouls (fouled out): South Haven 12 (Smith), Dowagiac 13 (none). Varsity records: South Haven 4-4, Dowagiac 2-5