By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - Visiting South Haven missed just eight shots in the second half as the Rams rolled to a 63-42 non-conference victory over Dowagiac Tuesday night.
South Haven (4-2) shot 17-of-29 in the second half (70 percent) and scored 21 points in both the third and fourth quarters against a Dowagiac squad which fell to 3-3 on the season.
The Chieftains finished with 24 turnovers, most of which came in the second half against what Dowagiac coach Greg Blomgren said was the best ball pressure his guards had seen all season.
The Chieftains were unable to take care of the basketball and as a result the Rams scored at will.
South Haven got off to a quick start, leading 6-2 before the Chieftains rallied to cut the lead to 10-6 after one period.
Dowagiac fell behind early in the second quarter, trailing by 10 points midway through the second period.
The Chieftains caught fire from the field and eventually tied the game at 21-21 just before halftime.
Despite having some momentum heading into the locker room at halftime, Chieftains head coach Greg Blomgren was concerned.
His fears were realized quickly in the second half as South Haven again jumped out to a lead.
This time, however, the Rams did not let the Chieftains back into as Dowagiac struggled from the outside.
The Chieftains, who shot 50 percent from the field in the first half (8-of-16), hit just 1-of-6 three point attempts. Dowagiac shot 45 percent in the second half (10-of-22) and finished the game shooting 47 percent.
Dowagiac junior center Chris Primley turned in another strong game as he led the Chieftains with 19 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Dowagiac also got 12 points from Mike DeRose. Jamie Simpson and Shawn Irvin scored five and four points respectively off the bench.
Only five players scored for Dowagiac on Tuesday night.
South Haven was led by Daniel Jackson's 23 points. The Rams also got 19 points from Waaso.
Another key to South Haven's success was the fact that they outrebounded the Chieftains 26-21, including 21-10 in the second half. Dowagiac held a 15-11 rebounding advantage at halftime.
The Chieftains return to Big 16 Conference West Division play on Friday when they travel to St. Joseph. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
SOUTH HAVEN 63
Kale Waaso 8 3-5 19, Brian Powell 2 0-0 5, Daniel Jackson 11 1-1 23, Emmarr Butler 1 0-0 2, David Barden 3 0-0 6, Larnell Wroten 0 0-0 0, Johnny Bolden 4 0-0 8, Adam Cobbs 0 0-0 0. Totals: 29 4-6 63
DOWAGIAC 42
Anthony Black 0 0-0 0, David Stuppy 0 0-0 0, Amos Clark 0 0-0 0, Mike DeRose 5 0-0 12, Chris Primley 9 3-3 19, Jamere Bacon 0 0-0 0, Nick File 0 0-0 0, Andrew Cuthbert 1 0-0 2, Shawn Irvin 2 0-0 4, Jamie Simpson 2 0-0 4, Oscar Wilson 0 0-0 0, D.J. Edgerly 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 3-9 42
South Haven 10 21 42 63
Dowagiac 6 21 32 42
Three-point baskets: Powell (SH), DeRose (D) 2, Simpson (D). Total fouls: South Haven 11, Dowagiac 8. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: None.