MATTAWAN – Both the Niles girls and boys basketball teams came up just short on the road against Mattawan Friday night.

The Viking s dropped a 38-30 decision to the Wildcats in the girls basketball opening game of the Big 16 West Division doubleheader, while the boys team fell to Mattawan 60-55.

The Niles boys team fell behind early to Mattawan and never were quite able to catch up.

The Vikings trailed 16-10 after one quarter and by 11 points (33-22) at the intermission.

Niles trimmed a point off the Wildcats’ advantage in the third quarter, but despite outscoring Mattawan 19-14 in the final eight minutes, couldn’t overcome the early deficit.

Alec Brown scored a game-high 28 points in a losing effort for the Vikings, who dip to 3-10 overall. Tate Brawley and Jeremy Wortham both finished with seven points.

Derek Ditto led a trio of Wildcats in double figures with 15 points. Tyler Albertson finished with 12 and Zach Meyers 10.

 

Niles…30

Mattawan…38

Slow starts at the beginning of both halves cost the Niles girls team Friday night.

Mattawan outscored the Vikings 15-5 and 16-4 in the first and third quarters and then held off a fourth quarter rally by Niles.

The Vikings rebounded from the early deficit to cut the Wildcats’ advantage to 20-13 by halftime. But the third quarter spurt by Mattawan allowed it to take a 34-19 lead into the final eight minutes.

Niles outscored the Wildcats 11-4 in the final quarter, but couldn’t overtake them.

Mattawan All-Stater Allie Havers led all scorers with 23 points.

The Vikings were led by Jazmin Brann’s 8 points. Elyse Zimmerman and Libby Moody both scored six points as Niles fell to 0-16 on the season.

 

BOYS

NILES 55

Anthony Bice 3; Gabe Stokes 6; Alec Brown 28; Connor Glick 1; Tate Brawley 7; Jeremy Wortham 7; Matt Miller 2; Mitch Dean 1. TOTALS: 20 12-17 55

MATTAWAN 60

Gabe Pelak 7; Zach Meyers 10; Darren Jacks 7; Scott Rooney 2; Derek Ditto 15; Sawyer Caley 2; Tyler Albertson 12; Caleb Doonan 5. TOTALS: 20 17-19 60

 

Niles 10 22 36 55

Mattawan 16 33 46 60

3-point goals: Niles 3 (Bice, Brown, Brawley), Mattawan 3 (Albertson 2, Jacks). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 17 (none), Mattawan 18 (none). Records: Niles 3-10, Mattawan 5-7

 

GIRLS

NILES 30

Khalilah Abdullah 0, Jaiden Roland 5, Antonia Palmer 0, Elyse Zimmerman 6, Maya Brookins 1, Kylee Myer 4, Jazmin Brann 8, Libby Moody 6. TOTALS: 11 5-12 30

MATTAWAN 38

Kara Harrison 3, Alyssa Conklin 0, Mallory Lee 0, Kyla Nickrent 2, Alison Wright 0, Hannah Cross 0, Amanda Mohney 2, Brooke Ditto 4, Emma Toner 4, Allie Havers 23, Mikala Markus 0. TOTALS: 17 3-9 38

 

Niles 5 13 19 30

Mattawan 15 20 34 38

3-point baskets: Niles 3 (Rolan, Zimmerman, Moody), Mattawan 1 (Harrison). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 12 (none), Mattawan 11 (none). Varsity records: Niles 0-16, 0-9 SMAC West), Mattawan 9-7, 7-4 SMAC West)