DOWAGIAC — Host Dowagiac and Buchanan are two teams that are very similar.

Both teams are still looking for their identities as the regular season winds down.

And while Dowagiac may have come away with the 32-25 non-conference victory, very little was decided when it comes to defining those identities.

The Bucks (5-8) dressed five seniors for the game against the Chieftains, who have four seniors in the line-up Monday night.

With underclassmen being counted on to help carry the load, it is sometimes tough for the players who understand just what their role is according to veteran Buchanan coach Gabe Miller.

“We are right there with the teams that have similar talent, but we still shoot ourselves in the foot,” he said. “We are not very disciplined. It just depends on who you get. You never know who is going to step up. We are still trying to find the right five to play together.”

Buchanan had a hard time finding that combination in the opening 16 minutes of play as Dowagiac (4-11) took a 13-6 lead after one quarter and stretched it to 19-11 at the halftime break.

But in the final two quarters, the Bucks seemed to pull together and forced the Chieftains into turnovers and rushed shots.

Buchanan cut the Dowagiac advantage to 23-21 heading into the final eight minutes by outscoring the Chieftains 10-4 in the third quarter.

But in the fourth, senior Taylor Pye stepped up, hit some key baskets for Dowagiac, grabbed some important rebounds and helped steady her team down the stretch.

“The girls made players down the stretch and Taylor Pye hit some huge baskets,” said Dowagiac coach Brent Nate. “She had some big rebounds and we got some big stops when we needed to get stops.”

Nate was impressed with how Pye helped take over the game in the closing minutes.

“She kept here poise,” he said. “She kept her composure when it mattered most.”

Pye finished the night with seven points and 11 rebounds. Dowagiac also got eight points from Amiyah Smith and six points from Allie Conner.

Megan Adkerson led Buchanan with six points. Cloe Mittan added five.

The Chieftains will be looking to build some momentum heading into the post season as they travel to Bridgman for a makeup game tonight.

Buchanan will travel to Comstock to take on the BCS Red Division leading Colts tonight before hosting division runner-up Brandywine Friday night.

DOWAGIAC 32, BUCHANAN 25

At Dowagiac

BUCHANAN 25

Megan Adkerson 6, Tatum Spencer 0, Emma Carson 4, Claire Lietz 0, Cloe Mittan 5, Hailey Jonatzke 4, Emma Lozmack 4, Alyssa Rehmel 2, Claire Shelton 0. TOTALS: 9 4-8 25

DOWAGIAC 32

Hayden First 4, Tamia Parker-Wilson 0, Kellyn Daly 6, Taylor Pye 7, Greta Whitaker 0, Allie Conner 6, Amiyah Smith 8, Jessie Hulett 0. TOTALS: 12 7-16 32

Buchanan 6 11 21 25

Dowagiac 13 19 23 32

3-point baskets: Buchanan 3 (Adkinson 2, Lozmack), Dowagiac 1 (Daly). Total fouls (fouled out): Buchanan 11 (none), Dowagiac 10 (none). Varsity records: Buchanan 5-8, Dowagiac 4-11