By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
A big fourth quarter lifted the Dowagiac Middle School seventh and eighth grade girls' basketball team to a 24-17 win over visiting Eau Claire on Monday afternoon.
The Chieftains were originally supposed to play two seventh grade contests against Eau Claire and Benton Harbor Charter School.
The eighth grade was supposed to host Benton Harbor Charter as well.
Benton Harbor canceled its games Monday morning, leaving just Eau Claire with its combined team to play.
Dowagiac alternated its seventh and eighth grade squads each quarter against the Lady Beavers.
Eau Claire grabbed a 5-2 first quarter lead, but was outscored 6-2 in the second quarter by the Chieftains. Dowagiac took a 12-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Eau Claire dominated the third quarter, outscoring Dowagiac 8-4.
The Lady Beavers held a 15-12 advantage heading into the final stanza.
The Chieftains exploded for 12 fourth quarter points, led by Ashley Charles, Breenesha Jones and Shatesha White, all of whom scored four points.
Charles and Jones both finished with six points to lead Dowagiac offensively. White contributed four points.
Also scoring for the Chieftains were Rebecca Muha, Taylor Meiser, Whitney Donaldson and Regina Kennedy.
Dowagiac returns to action on Thursday as the seventh grade travels to St. Joe Upton, while the eighth grade hosts Upton.
The first game at each site is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.