PLAINWELL — The struggles of the Dowagiac girls basketball team continued Tuesday night.

Only this time, some of the issues were brought on by the team not being ready to play when they arrived in Plainwell.

According to first-year coach Jason Turner, his squad did not turn in the type of effort it had been giving despite losing its first three games of the season.

The result was a 51-11 blowout by the Trojans in a Wolverine Conference non-divisional contest.

“Tonight, we didn’t come ready to play,” Turner said. “Hopefully on Thursday, we will come ready to play with more intensity.”

Dowagiac (0-4) trailed 10-2 after one quarter and 30-6 by halftime. The Chieftains were shutout in the fourth quarter.

Allie Conner had four points to lead the Chieftains, who will play host to Sturgis in their Wolverine Conference South Division opener on Thursday. Thursday will also be the final game before the Christmas break for Dowagiac. Tipoff is set for 5:45 p.m.