Niles senior point guard Elyse Zimmerman returned to action and it made a world of difference for the Vikings in a 61-25 non-conference girls basketball victory Tuesday night.

Zimmerman missed the first two games of the season for Niles, which lost to Edwardsburg and SMAC West foe Benton Harbor last week, while she recovered from a summer knee injury.

Niles coach Phil D’Amico still has limitations on how long Zimmerman can play each night, but was pleased to have his senior back in the lineup.

“It made a huge difference having Elyse back,” he said. “I talked in our locker room about how she is able to get us into our stuff. She made Jazmin (Brann) better; she made (Emily) Gaines better. It just raised everybody’s game tonight that is for sure.”

I limited action, Zimmerman finished with six points. Brann and Gaines both benefited from having her back on the court as they finished with 17 and nine points respectively. Brann also had 10 rebounds.

Maya Brookins also benefited from not having to handle the ball as much as she scored 10 points.

Dowagiac, which dropped to 0-3, struggled from the start.

The Chieftains fell behind 27-9 in the opening quarter as it had trouble getting the ball up the floor against the Niles pressure defense.

Dowagiac trailed Niles 36-11 at the half and 50-17 heading into the final quarter.

Despite the lopsided loss, Chieftain coach Floyd Foston saw some improvement from his squad.

“I told them that the energy level was better and we were more aggressive,” he said. “We still have a long way to go. We are going to be taking baby steps. You have to crawl before you can walk.”

Taylor Hulett led Dowagiac with 13 points, while Amiyah Smith added five points.

The Chieftains will host Otsego in a Wolverine Conference contest Thursday night.

The Vikings will host Portage Northern Friday night.

 

NILES 61, DOWAGIAC 25

At Dowagiac

NILES 61

Taylor Gibson 5, Tegan Bays 4, Maya Brookins 10, Elyse Zimmerman 6, Alexis Preston 2, Emily Gaines 9, Aynslee Myer, 4, Jaycee Myer 2, Jazmin Brann 17, LaJan Mitchell 2. TOTALS: 25 6-13 61

DOWAGIAC 25

Taylor Hulett 13, Cania Joseph 0, Ninah Russell 0, Brittany Strauss 0, Elaiyh Pruitt 0, Alyssa Allen 0, Mara Nelson 3, Gabby Harrison 0, Micaela Ruff 0, Taylor Pye 4, Amiyah Smith 5. TOTALS: 9 3-12 25

 

Niles                27       36       50       61

Dowagiac        9          11       17       25

3-point baskets: Niles 3 (Gibson, Brookins, Gaines), Dowagiac 2 (Nelson, Smith). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 16 (none), Dowagiac 14 (none). Varsity records: Niles 1-2, Dowagiac 0-3. JV score: Niles 36 (Deshanay Alexander 12), Dowagiac 15 (Chloe Smith 4).