BENTON HARBOR — Not many things went right for the undefeated Dowagiac Chieftains in the opening round of the Earl McKee Holiday Tournament Thursday night.

The Chieftains turned the ball over 11 times in the first half and trailed 40-28 at halftime to Muskegon Heights.

Dowagiac made several runs at Muskegon in the final 16 minutes, but could not overcome the early deficit and fell to the Heights 82-76.

The Chieftains were dominated on the board, turned the ball over too many times and failed to rotate on defense, which allowed the hot-shooting Muskegon Heights team plenty of open looks.

Those looks were knocked down by Jeffery Jordon and Edrick Tornes, who combined for six 3-pointers and 58 of the Heights’ 82 points.

“Tonight the same things haunted us,” Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt said. “Defense, we didn’t rotate well. Rebounding, we didn’t do it at all. I haven’t looked at the numbers, but I believe we got dominated on the boards at the offensive and defense end.

“We just did not play well tonight. We seemed to be a little flat. Muskegon came out and did exactly what I expected them to do and that was to make the game go fast. I wanted the game to go fast because that’s what we do, that’s our style. Tonight we just didn’t respond.”

Dowagiac found itself down quickly and never seemed to recover.

After trailing 4-0 to start the game, the Chieftains did manage to finally tie the game at 10-10 on a basket by Davion Highsmith.

Musekgon Heights scored the next 10 points and took a 20-12 lead into the second quarter.

It was catch-up the rest of the night for the Chieftains, who continually tried to get back in the contest, but couldn’t not keep the Heights from scoring.

Muskegon led 40-28 at halftime and 57-50 heading into the final quarter.

Dowagiac was able to cut the lead to four points with 22.5 seconds remaining on a basket by Dontel Highsmith, but when he missed two out of three free throws with 10.2 seconds remaining, Muskegon Heights was able to fend off the rally.

Dontel Highsmith led all scorers with 38 points, including 29 in the second half. Davion Highsmith finished with 11 and Kyle Solloway 10.

Dowagiac will face either Benton Harbor or Bridgman in the consolation game Friday at 6 p.m.

 

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS 82

Jeffery Jordon 31, Aaron Sydnor 11, Edrick Tornes 27, Carlos Hudson 10, Javen Harvey 0, DeMonte Crosby 0, D’montae Jones 3. TOTALS: 31 14-18 82

DOWAGIAC 76

Dontel Highsmith 38, Davion Highsmith 11, Kyle Solloway 10, Joey Pasternak 5, Brendon Murray 4, D.J. Hunt 3, Tyler Clark 5. TOTALS: 23 18-26 76

 

Heights 20 40 57 82

Dowagiac 12 28 50 76

3-point goals: Heights 6 (Jordon 2, Tornes 4), Dowagiac 4 (Da. Highsmith, Solloway, Pasternak, Clark). Total fouls (fouled out): Heights 17 (Sydnor), Dowagiac 12 (none). Technical foul: Jordon (MH). Varsity records: Heights 5-0, Dowagiac 5-1