DOWAGIAC — It was easy to see why visiting Edwardsburg dropped a 61-46 Wolverine Conference South Division decision to host Dowagiac last Friday night.

The Eddies failed to stop the Chieftains from getting to the basket. Time after time, Dowagiac was allowed to break through the Edwardsburg defense for easy layups or pull-up mid-range jump shots.

The result was an early 19-11 deficit that the Eddies were never able to make up.

“We were just a half a step slow tonight,” said Edwardsburg coach Stephen Wright. “Our rotations were also slow. I think their quickness bothered us. Probably, besides Mishawaka, they are the quickest team we have seen. We had fits with Mishawaka, too.”

Dowagiac took full advantage of the lapses in the Eddies’ defense.

After taking the early 19-11 lead, the Chieftains opened up a 12-point (33-21) halftime advantage and continue to pull away in the final 16 minutes of play.

At times, visiting Edwardsburg may have thought it was seeing double during the game.

That is because the Chieftains have two sets of twins — Henry and Cole Weller, as well as Michael and Stewart Smith.

All four players turned in their best performances of the season in helping the Chieftains knockoff the Eddies and remain atop the South Division standings with a 2-0 record.

The Wellers combined for 10 points, while the Smiths chipped in eight points. All four players also played solid defense, helped create turnovers and rebounded.

“The twins are playing well,” said Dowagiac coach Danum Hunt. “Both sets of twins, the Wellers and the Smiths, with them just coming up to varsity this year, they are progressing really well. In fact, they are starting to get faster than I thought they would.”

It was a pair of seniors that helped Dowagiac play one of its best games of the season.

Dashawn Brooks came out on fire, leading Dowagiac and all scorers with 16 points. Brooks scored nine of his points in the opening quarter, and 14 out of his 16 in the first half.

Senior D.J. Lanier, coming off a 24-point performance against Lakeshore last Tuesday night, picked up the scoring in the second half for the Chieftains.

Lanier netted seven of his 15 points in the third quarter and 13 in the second half.

Edwardsburg (4-3, 1-1 South) was led by Brendan Byce’s 11 points. Jaylynn Luster added 10 points.

The Eddies will host South Haven in a Wolverine Conference non-divisional contest Friday night.