While the offense has seemed to stabilized a bit, the defensive effort is still lacking, according to first-year Dowagiac coach Floyd Foston.

That defensive effort was missing Tuesday night when the Chieftains dropped a 46- 28 Wolverine Conference decision to visiting Comstock.

“We have got to get better defensively,” Foston said. “That’s the bottom line. We are blowing too many assignments, and we are giving up too many easy baskets. Until we understand the concept of playing defense, this is going to be the result.”

Foston estimated the Chieftains (0-7) gave up 12 uncontested layups as a result
of poor weak-side defense. That would amount to 24 points. So do the math: A victory was within grasp with a better effort on defense.

The Colts, who won their first game of the season, jumped out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back.

Comstock led 14-4 after one quarter and 28-16 by halftime.

Dowagiac showed a little life midway through the third quarter, but still wound up trailing by 15 points (37-22) heading into the final eight minutes of the contest.

Amanda Clapper led the Colts and all scorers with 15 points. Ashley Cross finished with 11 points.

The Chieftains were led by Jessica Herthoge, who scored seven points off the bench.

Crieona Rodgers and Rayven Brown both had six points.

COMSTOCK 46
Sydnee Baker 2; Ashley Cross 11; Pantharee Witchotrihop 0; Jenna Munn 9; Ari Stewart 2; Morgan Day 4; Amanda Clapper 15; Mistie McMakin 3; Danissa Woods 0.
TOTALS: 18 9-18 46

DOWAGIAC 28
Crieona Rodgers 6; Kristyn Turner 0; Jessica Herthoge 7; Angel Parker 3; Kylee Williams 5; Amanda Craft 0; Rayven Brown 6; Riley Daly 0; Jenesis Gren 1; Brianna McCuddy 0.
TOTALS: 12 2-11 28

Comstock 14 28 37 46
Dowagiac 4 16 22 28
3-point goals: Comstock 1 (Cross), Dowagiac 1 (Williams). Varsity records: Comstock 1-5, Dowagiac 0-7

Dowagiac…91
Comstock…56
COMSTOCK — The Dowagiac boys basketball team remained undefeated with an easy 91-56 Wolverine Conference win over Comstock Tuesday night.

Dontel Highsmith poured in a game-high 24 points for the Chieftains, who improved to 5-0 on the season.

Dowagiac scored 24 or more points in the first three quarters to build up a 78-41 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Tyler Clark, Kyle Solloway and Davion Highsmith also reached double figures with 17, 16 and 12 points respectively.

Nick Keene had 17 points for Comstock, which also got 12 points from Mike Hicks and 10 points from Riley Tucker.

DOWAGIAC 91
Dontel Highsmith 24; Davion Highsmith 12; Kyle Solloway 16; Joey Pasternak 7; Zachary Williams 3; Brendon Murray 3; D.J. Hunt 9; Tyler Clark 17.
TOTALS: 22 10-12 91

COMSTOCK 56
Aaron Gipson 2; Bobby Brinkert 6; Kyle Watson 3; Riley Tucker 10; Nick Keene 17; Mike Rogers 6; Mike Hicks 12.
TOTALS: N/A. Varsity records: Dowagiac 5-0, Comstock 1-4