VICKSBURG — Visiting Dowagiac rallied from a 22-12 first quarter deficit to defeat Vicksburg 79-70 in Wolverine Conference boys’ basketball action Friday night.

The Chieftains (4-3, 4-2 Wolverine) outscored the Bulldogs (1-7, 1-5 Wolverine) 45-16 in the middle two quarters to open up a 57-38 lead heading into the final quarter.

Vicksburg made a run at the Chieftains in the final eight minutes as it poured in 32 points compared to 22 by Dowagiac.

“The first quarter we were trying to find our way,” Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt said. “They came out pretty hot that first quarter. We played from behind a little bit. We started out very slowly, both offensively and defensively. We switched to man in the second quarter and played man the rest of the way.”

Darius Wilson led the Chieftains with 23 points, while Dontel Highsmith added 20. Dowagiac also got eight points each from Tremail Butcher and Chris Craft.

Kris Chesser led all scorers with 24 points, including five 3-pointers for the Bulldogs. Aaron McGuire added 16 and Abe Barwegen 11.

Dowagiac will entertain South Haven in a key Wolverine Conference clash today.

DOWAGIAC 79

Dontel Highsmith 20, Darius Wilson 23 Jason Turner 2, Tremail Butcher 8, Chris Craft 8, D.J. Hunt 6, Tyler Clark 3, Eric Charles 4, Brendon Murray 3, Troy Butcher 2. TOTALS: 27 16-25 79

VICKSBURG 70

Cody Gettsinger 7, Alex LaPorte 4, Kris Chesser 24, Aaron McGuire 16, Abe Barwegen 11, Tyler Fleetwood 2, Drew Mallory 6. TOTALS: 27 7-9 70

Dowagiac 12 34 57 79

Vicksburg 22 30 38 70

3-point baskets: Dowagiac 9 (Highsmith 3, Craft 2, Tre. Butcher 2, Hunt, Murray), Vicksburg 9 (Chesser 5, Barwegen 2, McGuire, Gettsinger). Total fouls: Dowagiac 17, Vicksburg 19 (Gettsinger). Fouled out: Highsmith (D). Varsity records: Dowagiac 4-3, 4-2 Wolverine; Vicksburg 1-7, 1-5 Wolverine

Dowagiac…25

Vicksburg…45

VICKSBURG — Visiting Dowagiac was outscored 22-8 in the second half as Vicksburg handed the Chieftain girls’ basketball team a 45-25 Wolverine Conference setback.

Dowagiac trailed 15-6 after one period of play, but cut the lead to 23-16 by halftime.

The Bulldogs came out in the third quarter and tossed in 12 points, while holding the Chieftains to only three as they increased their advantage to 35-20 heading into the fourth quarter.

Vickburg’s  Kelsey Sandahl scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Bulldogs, who also got 11 points from Meg McGuire.

Kaisha Martin led the Chieftains with seven points. Katie Lorenz and Kelsie Primley each added six points.

Dowagiac will travel to South Haven Tuesday night for another Wolverine Conference contest.

DOWAGIAC 25

Katie Lorenz 6, Kelsie Primley 6, Kaisha Martin 7, Michala Froehlich 2, Haley Pegan 2, Regina Kennedy 2. TOTALS: 9 3-8 25

VICKSBURG 45

Tara Gloystein 7, Kelsey Sandahl 16, Erica Schmitz 4, Erica Foytik 3, Betsy Kuri 2, Meg McGuire 11, Darby Truhn 2. TOTALS: 18 6-11 45

Dowagiac 6 17 20 25

Vicksburg 15 23 35 45

3-point baskets: Dowagiac 4 (Lorenz 2, Primley), Vicksburg 3 (McGuire). Total fouls: Dowagiac 9, Vicksburg 10. Fouled out: None. Dowagiac 2-6, 2-5 Wolverine; Vicksburg 6-3, 5-2 Wolverine