By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Getting off to a good start was exactly what Dowagiac varsity basketball coach Greg Blomgren wanted.
The Chieftains outscored visiting South Haven 20-5 in the first quarter on their way to a 47-28 Wolverine Conference victory.
Unfortunately for Blomgren, his team did not play very well over the final 32 minutes of the contest.
"We wanted to get off to a good start and we did just that," he said following the game. "But I thought we got complacent. This was the best start we have had all season. How many good looks did we have inside that we just didn't make. We have to play hard for 32 minutes. Tonight we didn't do that."
The outcome against the Lady Rams was much better than the first meeting, however.
Dowagiac (6-3 overall, 6-1 Wolverine Conference) defeated South Haven in its first meeting back in September, but had to hold the ball the final four minutes of the contest due to its poor shooting.
The Chieftains were 7-of-15 in the first quarter and appeared to be headed to a big night offensively.
Dowagiac, unfortunately was just 8-of-42 (19 percent) over the final three quarters.
The Chieftains dominated the Lady Rams in the opening quarter. Dowagiac was red-hot from the field, while South Haven was just 2-of-10 from the field and committed seven turnovers.
Holly Lowe got Dowagiac on the board with a 3-pointer just 16 seconds into the contest. A triple by Katy Stuppy at the 5:48 mark of the first period extended Dowagiac's lead to 10-0.
The Chieftains continued to pour it on, outscoring South Haven 10-5 over the final five minutes of the opening quarter.
South Haven wasn't able to make head-way in the second quarter, even though the Chieftains were just 2-of-12 from the field. The Lady Rams hit one of seven shots and trailed 29-9 at the intermission.
Both teams tossed in 10 points in the third quarter. The two teams combined to go 7-of-29 from the field (24 percent).
Dowagiac took a 39-19 advantage into the final eight minutes of play.
Both teams made just three field goals in the final quarter. Two out of the three for the Chieftains were 3-pointers.
South Haven outscored Dowagiac 9-8 in the quarter, however, it was too little, too late.
Stuppy led all scorers with 22 points. Stuppy had six, 3-pointers and no 2-point baskets. She was 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
Holly Lowe finished with 11 points, while Torie Lowe added five points.
Mariah Hilliard's 11 points led South Haven. Jasmine Martin and Jane Barden finished with seven and five points respectively.
The Chieftains are back in action on Thursday when they host defending Wolverine Conference champion Gull Lake in a 7:15 p.m. contest.
SOUTH HAVEN 28
Jane Barden 1 3-5 5, Jenna Hill 0 0-0 0, Sara Parish-Reeves 0 0-0 0, Mariah Hilliard 5 0-0 11, J'Nay Paul 0 0-0 0, Jenny Monacelli 1 0-0 2, Morgan Bierhalter 0 3-4 3, Aly Swargerty 0 0-0 0, Abby Eberle 0 0-0 0, Jasmine Martin 3 1-1 7, Rachelle Newberry 0 0-0 0, Jamie Lesk 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 7-10 28
DOWAGIAC 47
Beth Williams 1 1-2 3, Holly Lowe 4 0-0 11, Jaskarin Kaur 0 0-0 0, Lindsey Truitt 0 0-0 0, Torie Lowe 1 2-5 5, Kristy Cooper 2 0-0 4, Sada Nealey 1 0-0 2, Katy Stuppy 6 4-4 22, Katie Roach 0 0-0 0, Sara Ausra 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 7-11 47
South Haven 5 9 19 28
Dowagiac 20 29 39 47
Three-point baskets: Hilliard (SH), H. Lowe (D) 3, T. Lowe (D), Stuppy (D) 6. Total fouls: South Haven 9, Dowagiac 16. Fouled out: Hilliard (SH). Technical fouls: None. Record: South Haven 3-6, 1-6 Wolverine; Dowagiac 6-3, 6-1 Wolverine