Dowagiac took control of Tuesday night’s Wolverine Conference girls basketball game in the second quarter and went on to defeat South Haven 53-36.

The victory was the first of the season for the Chieftains.

The Chieftains (1-7, 1-5 Wolverine) and Rams (0-8, 0-6 Wolverine) were deadlocked at 10-10 after one quarter of play, but Dowagiac outscored South Haven 13-7 in the second quarter to open up a 23-17 halftime advantage.

The Chieftains continued to pour it on in the second half, taking a 36-27 advantage after three quarters and then cruising home with the victory.

Dowagiac pumped in 23 field goals, including four 3-pointers, but were just 3-of-13 from the free throw line.

South Haven managed just 16 field goals and were 1-of-4 from the stripe.

Correshia Rodgers finished with a game-high 19 points, but Dowagiac’s leading scorer got plenty of help.

Kylee Williams connected on four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points. Jessica Herthoge added eight points with Regina Kennedy six.

“The team has continued to work hard and it was nice to see it pay off and get the victory,” Dowagiac coach Emily McLoughlin said. “Correshia had another good game for us and Kylee and Jessica stepped up tonight. It was a good team effort.”

South Haven did not have a single player reach double figures. Brittany Avery and Jordan Spears each had eight points.

SOUTH HAVEN 36

Meagan Spears 3 0-0 6; Makiah Martin 3 0-0 6; Katie Corona 2 0-3 6; Brittany Avery 3 1-1 8; Shelby Federick 1 0-0 2; Jordan Spears 4 0-0 8. TOTALS: 16 1-4 36

DOWAGIAC 53

Correshia Rodgers 9 0-5 18; Regina Kennedy 3 0-0 6; Kristyn Turner 0 1-2 1; Kelsie Primley 1 0-1 2; Jessica Herthoge 3 2-4 8; Kylee Williams 5 0-0 14; Rachel Bailey 0 0-0 0; Carly Polomcak 2 0-0 4; DaVaughna Huff 0 0-1 0. TOTALS: 23 3-13 53

South Haven 10 17 27 36

Dowagiac 10 23 36 53

3-point baskets: Dowagiac 4 (Williams), South Haven 3 (Corona 2, Avery). Total fouls (fouled out): South Haven 16, Dowagiac 12. Varsity records: South Haven 0-8, 0-6 Wolverine; Dowagiac 1-7, 1-5 Wolverine