From staff reports

STEVENSVILLE – Visiting Niles avenged a 64-62 overtime loss to Lakeshore on Friday night by dominating the Lancers 57-43 in a Big 16 Conference West Division boys’ basketball showdown.

The Vikings remain in first place in the division as they improve to 4-1 and 10-4 overall.

It was a close game throughout the first half, but Niles was able to break the game open in the third quarter.

The Vikings led 9-6 after eight minutes of play and extended their advantage to 23-19 at the intermission.

But in the third quarter, Niles outscored Lakeshore 21-10 to take a commanding 44-29 lead into the final stanza.

Although the Lancers outscored the Vikings by a point in the final quarter, it wasn’t nearly enough to complete the season sweep.

Niles was once again led by senior standout David Garner, who pumped in a game-high 16 points.

The Vikings also got 11 points from sophomores Myles Busby and Austin Parks. Mitch Peterek chipped in with nine points.

Hayden Davis scored 11 points to lead the Lancers, who also got a double digit performance from Lee Meyers.

The Vikings held Jordan Kauffman to just four points on Friday night. Kauffman had 18 in the win over Niles back in January.

The Vikings are back in action on Friday, Feb. 12 when they take on host Benton Harbor in a key West Division showdown.

NILES 57
Matthew McLaughlin 7; Riley Robson 0; Myles Busby 11; Nick Lucero 2; Mitch Peterek 9; Jordan Potthoff 0; David Garner 16; Austin Parks 11; Quintin Irby 1. TOTALS: 22 9-13 57
LAKESHORE 43
T.J. Moneta 4; Adrian Tatrault 1; Colin McKey 0; Lee Myers 10; Jordan Kauffman 4; Josh Lange 3; Loren Johnson 2; Hayden Davis 11; John Noel 0; Jordan Avery 8. TOTALS: 15 11-20 43

Niles 9 23 44 57
Lakeshore 6 19 29 43
3-point baskets: Niles 4 (Peterek 1, Parks 3), Lakeshore 2 (Myers 1, Lange 1). Total fouls: Niles 16, Lakeshore 13. Fouled out: None.