PORTAGE — Niles shook off a slow start and put together a strong second half to knock off Portage Central 59-44 in SMAC West Division girls basketball Tuesday night.

The Vikings improve to 7-2 overall and 3-2 in the West with the victory.

Niles’ Elyse Zimmerman led all scorers with 17 points, hitting 10-of-12 from the foul line. Jazmin Brann added 14 for the visiting Vikings, which also had Emily Gaines and Maya Brookins chip in with nine points each.

Portage Central (0-9, 0-3 West) was led Shea Mulvaney with 14 points.

 

NILES 59, PORTAGE CENTRAL 44

Niles 59

Jay Palmer 0, Jaiden Rolen 6, Antonia Palmer 4, Elyse Zimmerman 17, Maya Brookins 9, Emily Gaines 9, Kylee Myer 0, Libby Moody 0, Jazmin Brann 14
Three Point Made: four ( Zimmerman, Brookins 2, Gaines). TOTALS: 16 23-31 59

Portage Central 44
Taylor Coates 7, Aimee VanWalbeck 2, Starr Tillman 0, Lexi Hite 2, Natalie Sikkenga 0, Andrea Nord 9, Broghan Gamble 2, Shea Mulvaney 14, Sierra Easter 0, Tyler Snyder 8. TOTALS: 15 14-21 44

 

Niles                10       21       40       59

Central           7          16       29       44

3-point baskets: Niles 4 (Zimmerman, Brookins 2, Gaines), Portage Central 0. Total fouls: Niles 19, Portage Central 22. Varsity records: Niles 7-2, 3-2 West; Portage Central 0-9, 0-3 West