St. Joseph is one of the best teams in the Big 16 Conference. Niles is a young team still trying to get its footing.

That combination was not good for the Vikings Friday night as the visiting Bears rolled to a 77-39 West Division victory.

While Niles was able to hold its own on the backboard against St. Joseph, the Bears’ pressure defense forced the Vikings into numerous turnovers. By the end, Niles had turned the ball over 29 times compared to just 11 for the Bears.

St. Joseph shot the ball extremely well in the contest as it connected on 31-of-61 attempts (51 percent). Niles hit a mere 15-of-45 attempts for 33 percent.

The Bears (5-1, 3-0 West) jumped out to a 19-11 first quarter lead and never looked back. St. Joseph led 37-20 by halftime.

As if that weren’t enough, the Bears began the second half with a 25-point explosion while holding the Vikings to just nine points.

Freshman Elyse Zimmerman had a very strong night from her point guard position as she scored a team-high 16 points and seven rebounds. Elizabeth Moody finished with nine points, while Lashonda Greene grabbed 15 rebounds.

Erika Priebe and Robyn Priebe scored 18 and 17 points respectively for the Bears, who also got 13 points from Isabel Knuth.

 

ST. JOSEPH 77

Isabel Knuth  13, Lauren Brower 10, Samantha Taylor 2, Erika Priebe 18, Robyn Priebe  17, Jas Williams 6, Christian Valentine 7, Kaitlyn Ross 0, Sarah Punches 4. TOTALS 31 11-22 77

NILES 39

Khalilah Abdullah 2, Jazmin Brann 4, LaShonda Greene 1, Elyse Zimmerman 16, Maya Brookins 5, Elizabeth Moody 9, Tala Gentry 0, Antonia Palmer 0, Kylee Myer 0, Jaiden Rolan 2. TOTALS 15 5-9 39

 

St. Joseph 19 37 62 77

Niles 11 20 29 39

3-point baskets: St. Joseph 4 (R. Priebe 2, Knuth 1, Valentine 1), Niles 4 (Zimmerman 2, Brookins 1, Moody 1). Total fouls (fouled out): St. Joseph 14 (none), Niles 13 (none). Varsity records: St. Joseph 5-1, 3-0 SMAC West; Niles 0-4, 0-3 SMAC West