By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Despite playing without senior starting guard Holly Lowe, the Dowagiac varsity basketball team was able to post a 55-44 Wolverine Conference victory over visiting Paw Paw Thursday night.
The Chieftains (9-5 overall, 9-3 Wolverine Conference) remained one game out of first place in the league with the victory.
Lowe, who is out indefinitely due to injury, watched as all of her teammates picked up the slack in her absence.
"We talked with the girls about Holly being out and that everybody would have to make two or three extra plays tonight," Dowagiac coach Greg Blomgren said. "We didn't want it to be just one player. We wanted everyone to contribute and I think they did that."
Paw Paw got off to a quick start against the Chieftains, but trailed 14-13 after the first quarter. From there, Dowagiac outscored the Lady Redskins 41-31.
Both teams scored five baskets in the first quarter, but struggled offensively in the second period.
The Chieftains were just 3-of-18 from the field in the second quarter, while Paw Paw was 3-of-11.
Dowagiac really put the game away in the third quarter as it outscored Paw Paw 22-15. The Chieftains hit 5-of-18 from the field, but connected on all nine of its free throw attempts.
Dowagiac's Kristy Cooper gave the Chieftains a 25-24 lead with 5:59 to play in the period with a pair of free throws. Dowagiac outscored Paw Paw 20-10 over the final five and a half minutes to take a 45-34 lead into the fourth quarter.
"They came out and got after us at the start of the second half," Blomgren said. "They were breaking our press by going up the middle of the floor on us. Once we made the adjustment they had a hard time getting the ball across mid-court."
Paw Paw turned the ball over seven times in the third period against constant Chieftain pressure.
Dowagiac made just one field goal in the fourth quarter, but connected on 7-of-12 free throws to keep the Lady Redskins at bay.
Freshman Torie Lowe led Dowagiac with 20 points, including four 3-point baskets. Junior point guard Katy Stuppy finished with 19 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. The Chieftains also got six points from Cooper, a junior, and freshman Britnee Allerton.
Kristin Smith's 17 points led Paw Paw. Jordan Boyer finished with 12 points.
Dowagiac is back in action on Tuesday as it heads to Allegan for another Wolverine Conference contest.
PAW PAW 44
Stefanni Cerven 1 0-0 2, Grace Snyder 0 0-0 0, Jordan Boyer 5 2-2 12, Emily Carey 0 2-2 2, Brittany Clippinger 1 3-4 5, Casey Labadie 0 0-0 0, Ashley Leduc 3 0-0 6, Kristin Smith 8 1-3 17, Abby Congdon 0 0-0 0, Dakota Wimberly 0 0-1 0. Totals: 18 8-12 44
DOWAGIAC 55
Beth Williams 1 0-0 2, Torie Lowe 4 8-10 20, Kristy Cooper 0 6-10 6, Katy Stuppy 5 6-8 19, Katie Roach 1 0-0 2, Sara Ausra 0 0-0 0, Shardatsha Fitchett 0 0-0 0, Tasia Diaz 0 0-0 0, Britnee Allerton 3 0-0 6. Totals: 14 20-28 55
Paw Paw 13 19 34 44
Dowagiac 14 23 45 55
3-point baskets: Lowe (D) 4, Stuppy (D) 3. Total fouls: Paw Paw 20, Dowagiac 13. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: None. Record: Dowagiac 9-5, 9-3