By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
It was over almost before it started.
The Dowagiac varsity basketball team was outscored 23-5 in the first quarter Tuesday night as host Benton Harbor rolled to a 72-34 Big 16 Conference West Division victory.
The Lady Tigers, who are ranked No. 3 in Class A, also outscored the Chieftains 23-7 in the third quarter.
The Chieftains failed to reach double figures in the first three quarters, but scored 14 points in the final eight minutes.
Dowagiac trailed by 18 after one period of play and by 22 at the intermission.
The Lady Tigers held a 12-8 scoring advantage in the second period.
Dowagiac hit just five of 20 shots in the opening half (25 percent). Benton Harbor on the other hand hit 52 percent of its attempts (14-of-27).
The Chieftains did shoot better in the second half as they hit 8-of-25 shots (32 percent).
Benton Harbor didn't cool off much as it was 15-of-31 from the floor (48 percent).
Katy Stuppy led the Chieftains with 16 points, while Holly Lowe finished with 10 points.
Dowagiac had just five players score on the night. Kim Luthringer had four points and five rebounds, while Kristy Cooper and Amy Wood each had a basket.
Jolynn Hawkins grabbed five rebounds for the Chieftains, who were outrebounded by the Lady Tigers, 40-29.
Charonne Coleman and Courtney Web led a balanced Benton Harbor offense with 16 points each.
Tashayla Jackson added 13 points.
The Chieftains will try to regroup before traveling to Cassopolis on Thursday night for a non-conference game against the Lady Rangers.
Cassopolis comes into Thursday's contest with an 11-1 overall record. The Rangers are an honorable mention pick in Class C.