By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - The Coloma Comets didn't overlook Dowagiac this time around.
In last year's Class B District Basketball Tournament opening round game between the Comets and the Chieftains, Dowagiac came away with a huge upset victory over the Lakeland Conference and defending district champions.
On Tuesday night before a sparse crowd due to poor weather conditions, the Comets came out smoking and pulled away to a 67-44 victory over the host Chieftains.
Coloma advances to Thursday night's semifinal contest against Berrien Springs, a squad it split a pair of regular season games with.
Dowagiac (2-19) played with the Comets for a quarter and a half before the Comets took control
Coloma (14-7) outscored Dowagiac 15-5 in the second quarter to open up a 30-19 halftime and then stretched it into a 51-31 advantage after three quarters.
Coloma outscored Dowagiac 21-12 in the third quarter to seal the victory.
Both teams got off to a good start with the Comets clinging to a 15-14 lead after one period of play.
Coloma outscored Dowagiac 16-13 in the final period to post the 33-point victory.
Sebastian Lewis came up big for the Comets, scoring a game-high 24 points. Coloma also got 12 points from Tyler Lavanway.
No Chieftain player reached double figures in the contest. Dowagiac was led by Chris Primley's nine points and four rebounds.
Jamie Simpson added seven points, while David Stuppy finished with six points and a team-high five rebounds.
Turnovers were the key for the Chieftains as they committed 27 against the Coloma pressure.
Dowagiac and Coloma both ended u p with 27 rebounds, however, the Comets were 24-of-50 from the field and 9-of-20 from three-point range (48 percent).
Dowagiac was 16-of-37 from the field and 5-of-15 from beyond the arc.
The Comets ended up 10-of-17 from the foul line compared to 7-of-13 for the Chieftains.
Tonight, St. Joseph takes on Lakeshore beginning at 7 p.m. The winner advances to Saturday's championship game.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Coloma 15 30 51 67
Dowagiac 14 19 31 44