The Three Rivers boys basketball team hosted Wolverine Conference West Division foe Dowagiac on Friday night, and the Wildcats’ guests proved unkind.
The Chieftains built on a nine-point halftime lead to cruise to the 75-50 victory, leaving Three Rivers (2-13, 0-7) still searching for its first conference victory.
Trenton Karle led the way for the Wildcats, logging 12 points in the losing effort. Cam Cottingham took advantage of every one of his seven trips to the free throw line to finish with nine points while Elijah Hamilton added eight points.
Despite the loss, the Wildcats spread scoring around to nine different players, which also include Adam Reed (6 points), Johnel Stewart (5) and Alex Cottingham (4). Connor Smith, Kyle Walczak and Kendell James all registered a bucket for Three Rivers, which finished the night a solid 41 percent from the field.
The Chieftains were hot from behind the long line, though, using nine 3-pointers to help doom the Wildcats.
Three Rivers faces South Haven next on Tuesday.