By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - It was over before it even got started.
Visiting Benton Harbor raced out to a 15-0 first quarter lead and never looked back in defeating Dowagiac 71-24 in a Big 16 Conference West Division clash Friday night.
The Tigers (9-2) outscored the Chieftains 15-0 in the first eight minutes and then 14-6 in the second period to open up a 29-6 halftime advantage.
The Chieftains were their own worst enemy as they shot just 2-for-24 in the first half (eight percent) from the field and 2-for-8 at the free throw line (25 percent).
The Tigers did not shoot much better from the field, going 10-of-28 (36 percent) from the floor. The Tigers were 8-of-14 from the free throw line in the opening half.
While Benton Harbor stepped up its shooting in the second half, going 16-of-25 from the field (64 percent), the Chieftains continued to struggle.
Dowagiac shot 6-of-21 from the floor (29 percent).
The Tigers held a 25-10 scoring advantage in the third quarter and then outscored Dowagiac 17-8 in the final eight minutes to cruise home with the victory.
Benton Harbor outrebounded the Chieftains 45-32 in the contest. Dowagiac committed 27 turnovers which led to 38 points for the Tigers.
Benton Harbor had just 15 turnovers, of which Dowagiac scored just one basket.
Larry Bell scored 14 points to lead all scorers. Benton Harbor also got 11 points from Kalyn Meeks.
Chris Primley led Dowagiac with seven points despite playing only 14 minutes due to foul trouble.
David Stuppy had four points for the Chieftains, who are back in action on Tuesday when they host Niles.
BENTON HARBOR 71
Delriko Curtis 1 2-4 4, Kalyn Meeks 5 1-2 11, Brandon Hurst 2 3-3 8, Corey Neeley 2 0-0 5, Larry Bell 5 4-6 14, Deontra Calhoun 3 1-2 8, Devino Williams 2 1-2 6, David Osby 1 2-2 4, Landis Threatt 1 0-2 2, Jayvaire Holmes 2 0-1 4, Kevin Moore 1 0-0 2, Tyrone Black 0 0-0 0, Nickolas Blue 0 0-0 0, Cornell Ewell 0 0-0 0, Terrance Crockett 1 1-4 3. Totals: 26 15-28 71
DOWAGIAC 24
Jamere Bacon 0 0-0 0, Nick File 0 0-0 0, Andrew Cuthbert 0 2-2 2, Drakkar Allen 0 0-0 0, Tony Black 0 0-0 0, David Stuppy 1 1-2 4, Shawn Irvin 0 0-0 0, Toby Montgomery 0 0-0 0, Jamie Simpson 0 0-0 0, Oscar Wilson 1 0-0 2, Amos Clark 1 1-1 3, Mike DeRose 1 1-2 3, D.J. Edgerly 1 1-2 3, Chris Primley 3 1-6 7.
Benton Harbor 15 29 54 71
Dowagiac 0 6 16 24
Three-point baskets: Hurst (BH), Neeley (BH), Calhoun (BH), Williams (BH), Stuppy (D). Total fouls: Benton Harbor 16, Dowagiac 17. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: Dowagiac coach. Varsity records: Benton Harbor 9-2; Dowagiac 3-6, 0-3