BENTON HARBOR — Visiting Niles remained at the top of the Big 16 Conference boys basketball standings with a 59-45 victory over Benton Harbor Friday night.

The Vikings (10-1, 5-1 West) outscored the Tigers 34-21 in the second half to pull away for the double digit victory.

The contest was close throughout the opening 16 minutes of play.

Niles grabbed a 14-12 lead after one period and stretched its advantage to 27-24 at halftime.

Both teams struggled to score in the third quarter as the Vikings and Tigers combined for 12 points. Niles got the better of it (9-3) and opened up a 36-27 advantage heading to the final stanza.

The Vikings exploded for 23 points in the fourth quarter, led by Myles Busby and Austin Parks, who combined for 12 of those points.

Busby finished with a game-high 17 points. He also had nine rebounds and four assists. Parks, who snared four rebounds, had two assists and two steals, chipped in with 13 points.

Devin Alexander led the Tigers with 15 points. Michael Dyson added 10.

NILES 59

Myles Busby 17; Matthew McLaughlin 5; Austin Parks 13; Logan Harpenau 4; Alec Brown 3; Aaron Pierce 0; Arias Williams 0; Anthony Bice 2; Taylor Campbell 6; Quintin Irby 4; Mitchell Dehn 5. TOTALS: 21 9-13 59

BENTON HARBOR 45

Deontae Whitfield 4; Roy Napier 4; C. Moore 5; Devin Alexander 15; Raheem Franklin 6; Andrew Ellis 1; D. Clark 0; Michael Dyson 10. TOTALS: 17 6-11 45

Niles 14 27 36 59

Benton Harbor 12 24 27 45

3-point baskets: Niles 8 (Busby 2, McLaughlin, Parks 3, Brown, Bice), Benton Harbor 5 (Moore, Alexander 4). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 13 (Campbell), Benton Harbor 13 (none). Varsity records: Niles 10-1, 5-1 West; Benton Harbor 8-5, 4-4 West

Niles…44

Benton Harbor…57

A 19-point fourth quarter helped lift host Benton Harbor to a 57-44 victory over Niles Friday night in Big 16 Conference West Division girls basketball action.

Leading just 38-36 heading into the fourth quarter, the Tigers erupted for 19 points, while holding the Vikings to just eight.

After digging itself an early 15-8 deficit, Niles clawed its way back into the contest. The Vikings trailed 28-23 at halftime and by only two points after three quarters.

Maureen Craig had a game-high 18 points before fouling out. Taylor Brandstatter added 13 points.

Freshman Kalabrya Gondrezick and Deseray Grant each scored 16 points for the Tigers.

NILES 44

Taylor Brandstatter 13; Alexis Arnold 5; Kylee Myer 0; Maureen Craig 18; Eva Nemeth 0; Anna Sikkink 0; Lashonda Greene 3; Michaell Briand 5; Jackie Grooms 0. TOTALS: 16 7-11 44

BENTON HARBOR 57

Kalabrya Gondrezick 16; Eulaisha Ellis 2; Nashaye Sutton 6; Na’eisha Dudley 0; Dennee Brown 8; Deseray Grant 16; Jasmine Dortch 0; Toshima Hull 7; Ashley Lewis 2. TOTALS: 19 14-23 57

Niles 8 23 36 44

Benton Harbor 15 28 38 57

3-point baskets: Niles 5 (Arnold, Craig 4), Benton Harbor 5 (Sutton, Grant 4). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 19 (Craig, Briand), Benton Harbor 14 (none). Varsity records: Niles 3-9, 1-6 West; Benton Harbor 4-6, 2-5 West