By Staff
THREE RIVERS – Balanced scoring and good shooting allowed host Three Rivers to remain undefeated in Wolverine Conference play as it defeated Dowagiac 60-41 on Thursday night in girls' basketball action.
The Lady Wildcats, led by Amy Newell's game-high 21 points, had four players score nine or more against the Chieftains, who placed just one player in double figures.
Three Rivers (4-0, 2-0 Wolverine) trailed the Chieftains 12-11 after one quarter of play, but exploded for 20 points in the second quarter to take a 31-20 lead.
Dowagiac managed just eight points in the period.
Both teams lit up the scoreboard in the third quarter as they combined for 48 points.
The Lady Wildcats outscored Dowagiac 27-21 in the frame to up their advantage to 51-30 heading into the final stanza.
Dowagiac (1-1, 1-1 Wolverine) held a slim 11-9 scoring advantage in the final period, but couldn't muster much of a comeback effort.
Three Rivers shot 46 percent (25-of-54) from the field, while Dowagiac hit just 14 out of 38 shots (37 percent) and was 0-of-4 from 3-point range.
The Lady Wildcats were 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
The Chieftains did shoot 81 percent from the free throw line as they hit 13 out of 16 attempts.
Besides Newell's offensive output, Three Rivers also got 17 points from Morgan Stuut, 10 points form Carley Cottingham and nine points from Kimmie VanSchoick.
Torie Lowe led Dowagiac with 16 points.
Britnee Allerton added five points and six rebounds, while Tasia Diaz, Kaisha Martin, Kayleigh Hutchings and Cassie Stone all scored four points.
The Dowagiac freshmen basketball team dropped a 32-21 decision to Three Rivers.
Jacoya Brookins led the Lady Chieftains with 13 points. Carly Polomcak and Regina Kennedy both scored four points.
DOWAGIAC 41
Torie Lowe 16, Britnee Allerton 5, Tasia Diaz 4, Kaisha Martin 4, Kayleigh Hutchings 4, Cassie Stone 4, Andrea Bradshaw 2, Brittany Gnatz 2. TOTALS: 14 13-16 41
THREE RIVERS 60
Amy Newell 21, Morgan Stuut 17, Carley Cottingham 10, Kimmie VanSchoick 9, Perri Weiderman 3. TOTALS: 25 6-11 60
Dowagiac 12 20 30 41
Three Rivers 11 31 51 60
3-point goals: Three Rivers 4 (Stuut 2. VanSchoick, Newell). Total fouls: Dowagiac 15, Three Rivers 12. JV score: Three Rivers 48, Dowagiac 26. Varsity records: Three Rivers 4-0, 2-0 Wolverine; Dowagiac 1-1, 1-1 Wolverine