ST. JOSEPH – Nichole Sly’s triple-double and Jenna Grannell’s gutty performance despite playing with flu-like symptoms helped visiting Niles open up Big 16 Conference West Division play with a victory on Friday night.

The Niles girls’ basketball team got 23 points and 10 rebounds from Grannell and 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists from Sly.

The score was deadlocked at 12-12 after eight minutes of play, but Niles was able to open up a 23-19 halftime advantage after outscoring the Lady Bears 11-7 in the second quarter.
Niles looked to have blown the game open in the third quarter after pouring in 26 points compared to 17 for St. Joseph.

But the Bears made a contest out of it in the final eight minutes, scoring 20 points and limiting the Lady Vikings to 13 points.

Niles used its transition game to score easy baskets in the second half and earn its third victory of the season against just one loss.

Sly’s triple-double was only the second in Lady Vikings’ history. Stephanie Hardy had the first one in 1999.

Niles also got seven points each from Savannah Wolnik, Alex McIntee and Lindsey Lucero.

That trio also combined for seven rebounds and five assists.

Christina Valentine led St. Joseph with 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Kaitlin Mavis and Erika Priebe finished with 17 and 11 points respectively.

The Lady Vikings are back to work on Tuesday night as they take on Mishawaka (Ind.) in a non-conference contest.

Niles will then play host to Benton Harbor, the defending Class A state champions on Friday, Dec. 18.

NILES 62
Savannah Wolnik 3 1-2 7, Alex McIntee 2 2-3 7, Lindsey Lucero 3 0-0 7, Brittany Buti 1 0-0 2, Gabby Ezell 0 0-0 0, Nichole Sly 4 7-8 16, Whitney Ellis 0 0-0 0, Jenna Grannell 10 3-6 23. TOTALS: 23 13-19 62
ST. JOSEPH 56
Alesya Schalk 8 0-0 20, Christina Valentine 1 0-0 2, Lindsay Peirce 1 0-0 2, Kaitlin Mavis 6 3-4 17, Courtney Caid 0 0-0 0, Sydney Weisser 1 0-4 2, Jasmine Williams 1 2-2 4, Erika Priebe 4 3-9 11, Hayley Knuth 0 0-1 0. TOTALS: 21 8-20 56

Niles 12 23 49 62
St. Joe 12 19 36 56
3-point baskets: Niles 3 (McIntee 1, Lucero 1, Sly 1), St. Joseph 6 (Valentine 4, Mavis 2). Total fouls: Niles 17, St. Joseph 15. Fouled out: None. Varsity records: Niles 3-1, 1-0 West Division; St. Joseph 3-1, 0-1 West Division