Dowagiac’s Keoante Blackamore scores against Three Rivers Friday night. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

The Dowagiac boys basketball team bounced back from its first loss of a season in a big way Friday night.

The Chieftains scored 50 second half points in an 83-54 Wolverine Conference South Division win over visiting Three Rivers.

Dowagiac (8-1, 3-1 South) poured in 21 first quarter points and held a 38-26 halftime lead on the Wildcats.

Dowagiac scored 20 points in the third quarter as it increased its lead to 58-38 heading into the final eight minutes of play.

The Chieftains showed better energy and a more aggressive attitude against the Wildcats than it had in previous games, but according to coach Danum Hunt, there is still plenty of work to be done.

“We still need to work on our rebounding and getting to loose balls,” he said following the game. “But our energy was up and we attacked the basket the way we are supposed to. Now maybe we can get back to playing Dowagiac basketball.”

Not only did Dowagiac get a big win for Winterfest, it was also able to get some quality minutes for its reserves in the second half.

One of those reserves, Zach Davis, came off the bench and scored five points in the closing minutes of the contest.

Davis’ play ignited an already charged-up crowd as he sliced to the basket, scored and was fouled on the play.

“It was nice to get those guys come minutes tonight,” Hunt said. “They work hard in practice every day and deserved it.”

Brandon Winchester-Jones led a trio of Chieftains in double figures with 18 points. Leroy Lewis came off the bench to score 16 points, as did Harry Reed, who suffered an ankle injury in the first half, but returned to the game and played well.

Tirrell Hausmanis led the Wildcats with 16 points, while Adam Reed added 15.

DOWAGIAC 83, THREE RIVERS 54

At Dowagiac

THREE RIVERS 54

Cameron Cottingham 5; Tanner Blyly 9; Alex Minger 2; Tate Ellifritz 2; Gavin Golembiewski 1; Carson Charvat 2; Isaiah Smith 2; Adam Reed 15; Tirrell Hausmanis 16. TOTALS: 19 15-23 54.

DOWAGIAC 83

Marcus Winchester-Jones 3; Harry Reed 16; Deyonte Sullivan 4; Brandon Winchester-Jones 18; Zach Davis 5; Leroy Lewis 17; Adrien Bucha-Moore 8; Keoante Blackamore 8; Jamin Hunt 4. TOTALS: 33 9-13 83.

Three Rivers              15       26       38       54

Dowagiac                    21       38       58       83

3-point baskets: Three Rivers 1 (Blyly), Dowagiac 8 (M. Winchester-Jones, Reed 4, Bucha-Moore 2, Hunt); Total fouls (fouled out): Three Rivers 14 (Cottingham), Dowagiac 18. Varsity records: Three Rivers 4-3, 2-1 Wolverine South; Dowagiac 8-1, 3-1 Wolverine South