PORTAGE – Alex McIntee’s 3-pointer in the closing stages of the fourth quarter put visiting Niles ahead for good in its Big 16 Conference non-divisional girls’ basketball clash with Portage Central Friday night.
The Lady Vikings then got a free throw from Nichole Sly to seal the 50-48 win over the Lady Mustangs.
Portage Central had a 3-point shot at the buzzer bounce off the rim.
Niles (2-0) and Portage Central (1-1) battled back and fourth all night long.
The Lady Vikings grabbed a 15-11 first quarter lead before both teams netted 14 points in the second period to leave Niles out in front 29-25 at halftime.
Portage Central came out in the third quarter and outscored Niles 16-11 to take a 41-40 lead into the final eight minutes of play.
Neither team generated much offense in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Vikings held a 10-7 advantage in the scoring department and came away with the victory.
Sly led Niles with a game-high 18 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five steals.
The Lady Vikings also got eight points and four rebounds from McIntee and eight points and six rebounds from Jenna Grannell.
Bri Russell paced the Lady Mustangs with 14 points.

NILES 50
Savannah Wolnik 1, Alex McIntee 8, Lindsey Lucero 4, Gabby Ezell 5, Maureen Craig 3, Nichole Sly 18, Whitney Ellis 3, Jenna Grannell 8. TOTAL: 18 12-23 50
PORTAGE CENTRAL 48
Renee Thomas 2, Sabrina Pettis 8, Bri Russell 14, Shelby Humphreys 8, Meghan McQueen 8, Becca Shemberger 6, Maria Tomlinson 2. TOTALS: 19 7-10 48

Niles 15 29 40 50
Portage Central 11 25 41 48
Varsity records: Niles 2-0, Portage Central 1-1