ST. JOSEPH — Visiting Niles could not overcome a poor first half in a 48-45 loss to St. Joseph in SMAC West Division boys basketball Friday night.

The Vikings dug themselves a 21-9 halftime hole that they could not quite overcome despite outscoring the Bears 36-27 in the second half.

Niles (1-5, 0-3 SMAC West) trailed 13-4 after one quarter.

The Vikings cut St. Joseph’s lead t 34-29 heading into the final quarter and continued to hound the Bears (2-5, 2-2 SMAC West) in the final eight minutes.

Gavin Rasler poured in a game-high 24 points to lead the Vikings who also got eight points from Chris Brown and six points from Jake Hamm.

Michael Hunn led St. Joseph with 14 points. Sam Szwabowski added 10 points.

 

ST. JOSEPH 48, NILES 45

At St. Joseph

NILES 45

Chris Brown 8, Jake Hamm 6, Alex Harpenau 5, Tyler Phillips 2, Gavin Rasler 24. TOTALS: 18 6-11 45.

ST. JOSEPH 48

Jovone Ballard 7, Griffin Beaudette 5, Isak Ruddell 2, Ryan Haynes 2, Michael Hunn 14, Cade Shimulunas 2, Sam Szwabowski 10, Trevor Dilley 6. TOTALS: 16 11-22 48.

 

Niles                4          9          29       45

St. Joseph       13       21         34       48

3-point baskets: Niles 3 (Hamm 2, Rasler), St. Joseph 5 (Hunn 4, Ballard); Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 20 (none), St. Joseph 15 (none); Varsity records: Niles 1-5, 0-3 SMAC West; St. Joseph 2-5, 2-2 SMAC West