OTSEGO — There were no last-second heroics for the Dowagiac boys basketball team this time around.

Otsego rallied to beat Dowagiac 70-63 in the inaugural Wolverine Conference championship game Thursday night.

The loss avenged a 64-63 loss to the Chieftains back on the Bulldogs’ home court Feb. 11. In that game, Dowagiac All-Stater Dontel Highsmith completed a three-point play with 3.4 seconds left.

The No. 3-ranked Chieftains (18-2) trailed 65-63 with 30 second remaining Thursday night.

Tyler Nast scored a career-high 26 points for Otsego, which is ranked No. 6 in Class B. Reid Dugan added 22 points and 16 rebounds as the Bulldogs improved to 17-3.

Highsmith led Dowagiac with 18 points, more than 10 points below his season average. Davion Highsmith added 15 points and D.J. Hunt 14.

Dowagiac will now regroup and prepare to face No. 2-ranked Lakeshore Monday night in the Class B District opening round at Berrien Springs. The Chieftains and the undefeated Lancers will square off in the second game of the doubleheader at approximately 8 p.m.

Coloma and Benton Harbor will play the opening game at 6 p.m. The gym will be cleared between games.

 

DOWAGIAC 63

Dontel Highsmith 18, Davion Highsmith 15, Bryce Dodd 2, Kyle Solloway 4, Joey Pasternak 4, D.J. Hunt 14, Tyler Clark 6. TOTALS: 25 7-8 63

OTSEGO 70

Kwanya Gilmore 0, McLane May 0, Jaeden Thompson 3, A.J. Atwater 10, Tyler Nast 26, Brady Syrek 2, Chris Pearl 0, Reid Dugan 22, Seth Dugan 7. TOTALS: 27 13-15 70

 

Dowagiac 16 34 56 63

Otsego 15 30 54 70

3-point goals: Dowagiac 6 (Do. Highsmith, Da. Highsmith, Hunt 4), Otsego 3 (Thompson, Atwater 2). Total fouls: Dowagiac 12, Otsego 9. Varsity records: Dowagiac 18-2, Otsego 17-3