PORTAGE — Renie Thomas scored a game-high 19 points as host Portage Central nipped Niles 49-41 in a Big 16 Conference West Division girls’ basketball game Tuesday night.

The Mustangs held the Vikings’ leading scorer Maureen Craig to just five points and one 3-pointer.

Niles (1-2, 0-1 West) trailed 12-5 after one quarter and 23-18 at halftime. The Vikings outscored the Mustangs 14-11 in the third quarter to cut the lead to 34-32, but could not make up the early deficit.

Portage Central held a 15-9 advantage in the final eight minutes to pull out the victory.

Michelle Briand led the Vikings with 13 points. She also grabbed six rebounds before fouling out. Taylor Brandstatter finished with 11 points and six rebounds, while Alexis Arnold had eight points. Lashonda Greene was held scoreless in the contest, but pulled down 13 rebounds. Craig dished out a team-high seven assists and had five steals.

Niles returns home Friday night as it hosts Benton Harbor in another West Division match-up.

NILES 41

Taylor Brandstatter 11; Alexis Arnold 8; Kylee Myer 0; Sarah Smith 0; Brooke Wilson 0; Maureen Craig 5; Anna Sinkkink 4; Lashonda Greene 0; Michelle Briand 13; Sarah Cramer 0. TOTALS: 12 14-30 41

PORTAGE CENTRAL 49

Renie Thomas 19; Erika Pueblo 0; Mia Webber 4; Katy Wyman 9; Abby Houser 2; Taylor Snyder 3; Jessica Dornhauf 7; Lea Forester 1; Kirsti Wilkenson 4. TOTALS: 16 13-21

Niles 5 18 32 41

Portage 12 23 34 49

3-point baskets: Niles 3 (Arnold 2, Craig), Portage Central 4 (Thomas, Wyman 2, Snyder). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 18 (Briand), Portage Central 18 (none). Varsity record: Niles 1-2, 0-1 West