A slow start spelled doom for the Niles boys basketball team Friday night.

Visiting Portage Central outscored the Vikings 21-8 in the first quarter and went on to a 58-43 SMAC West Division victory.

The Mustangs (2-5, 1-2 West) led 36-20 at halftime, but were outscored 12-5 in the third quarter as Niles (4-4, 1-2 West) rallied to cut the lead to 41-32 heading into the final eight minutes.

Portage Central poured in 17 fourth quarter points, while holding the Vikings to nine points.

Gavin Rasler scored 21 points to lead Niles and all scorers Friday night. The Vikings also got seven points from Bryce Lake and five points from Chris Brown.

The Mustangs were led by J. Maier’s 13 points. Joe Stewart and Austin McCullough scored 12 and 11 respectively.

 

PORTAGE CENTRAL 58, NILES 43

At Niles

PORTAGE CENTRAL 58

Austin McCullough 3 4-9 11, Joe Stewart 6 0-0 12, Dan Bowaitch 4 0-0 9, Raine Potts 1 0-1 2, Andrew Gabel 1 0-0 2, Drew Kristin 0 0-2 0, Jeff Criswell 1 0-0 2, Jack Eichman 3 1-2 7, J. Maier 4 3-5 13. Totals: 23 8-19 58.

NILES 43

Derek Brown 0 0-2 0, Bryce Lake 3 0-0 7, Chris Brown 2 1-2 5, Jake Hamm 0 1-3 1, Alex Harpenau 1 2-6 4, Tyler Phillips 1 0-2 2, Gavin Rasler 6 8-12 21, Austin Curray 1 0-0 3. Totals: 14 12-27 43.

 

Portage Central         21       36       41       58

Niles                                8       20       32       43

3-point baskets: Portage Central 4 (Maier 2, McCullough, Bowaitch), Niles 3 (Lake, Rasler, Curray). Total fouls (fouled out): Portage Central 30 (Maier), Niles 19. Varsity records: Portage Central 4-1, 2-0 SMAC West; Niles 1-4, 0-2 SMAC West