For the first time this season, the Niles girls basketball was tested.

At least for a half.

The host Vikings turned a 29-22 halftime advantage into a 51-38 Big 16 West Division victory over Mattawan with its defense.

The Vikings (4-0, 2-0 West) forced 32 Wildcat turnovers and have now a total of 149 forced turnovers in four games.

The Mattawan miscues turned into easy Niles baskets as the Vikings pulled away in the second half.

Niles led 19-11 after one, but the Wildcats closed the game to 29-22 by halftime.

The Vikings turned up the defensive pressure and outscored Mattawan 16-10 in the third quarter to open up a 45-32 advantage heading to the final quarter.

Elyse Zimmerman led Niles offensively with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists. She spearheaded the defense with a game-high 11 steals.

The Vikings also got 12 points and six rebounds from Emily Gaines. Libby Moody finished with eight points, while Tatyanna Goodson grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

Mattawan was led by Emma Toner’s 15 points. She was the lone Wildcat to reach double digits.

 

MATTAWAN 38

Joanna Bartz 1 0-3 3, Brooke Ditto 2 4-4 8, Emma Toner 6 3-5 15, Alison Wright 0 0-0 0, Alyssa Conklin 1 1-3 4, Alexis French 0 0-0 0, Mackenzie Swinehart 1 3-5 5, Amber Mazahem 1 1-2 3. TOTALS 12 12-22 38

NILES 51

Jazmin Brann 3 0-2 6, Tatyanna Goodson 1 1-3 3, Emily Gaines 4 0-0 12, Maya Brookins 1 0-0 2, Elyse Zimmerman 7 2-4 16, Khalilah Abdullah 0 2-2 2, Jaiden Rolan 0 0-0 0, Antonia Palmer 1 0-0 2, Kylee 0 0-0 0, Libby Moody 4 0-0 8, Alicia Prescott 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 21 5-11 51

 

Mattawan       11       22       32       38

Niles                19       29       45       51

3-point baskets: Mattawan 2 (Conklin 1, Bartz 1), Niles 4 (Gaines 4). Total fouls (fouled out): Mattawan 12 (none), Niles 20 (none). Varsity records: Mattawan 0-3, 0-2 West; Niles 4-0, 2-0 West