A broken nose suffered by Niles’ leading scorer Tate Brawley may have changed the outcome of the Big 16 West Division boys basketball game against Kalamazoo Central.

The Vikings’s Brawley suffered a broken nose in the second quarter and although he would finish the game, Niles wasn’t quite the same in a 71-56 loss to the Maroon Giants, who lead the West Division with an 8-0 record.

Niles (4-7, 2-6 West) was leading the game 33-28 with 53 seconds remaining in the opening half when Brawley was injured.

By the time he returned wearing a protective mask on his face, Kalamazoo Central had taken a 40-35 advantage.

Despite the injury, Brawley still led the Vikings’ with 17 points. Gabe Stokes added 11.

Devon Daniels scored a game-high 21 points to pace the Maroon Giants.

 

Kalamazoo Central 71, Niles 56

NILES 56

Tate Brawley 17, Gavin Rasler 7, Gabe Stokes 11, Connor Glick 8, Jeremy Wortham 5, Matt Miller 2, Ra’Quon Glenn 4, Adam Langmeyer 0, Donte Murphy 0, Jalen Alexander 2, Samuel Rodts 0. TOTALS 21 10-18 56

CENTRAL 71

Devon Daniels 21, Orlando Little 9, Hunter Hale 11, Isaiah Livers 8, Davarius Williams 8, Jordan Hunt 6, Adrian Young 8, Maurice Davis 0. TOTALS 31 5-14 71
Central                       10       30       56       71

Niles                            17       35       47       56

3-point baskets: Niles 4 (Brawley 3, Stokes 1), Kalamazoo Central 4 (Hale 2, Williams 2). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 19 (Wortham), Kalamazoo Central 12 (none). Varsity records: Kalamazoo Central 11-1, 8-0 West; Niles 4-7 2-6 West