By By DAN WEISS / Dowagiac Daily News
One would figure defense played a major factor in the Niles basketball team's 61-15 victory at Comstock Wednesday night.
Niles built a 14-9 lead after one quarter of play and then held the Colts scoreless in the second quarter to take a 31-4 lead into halftime.
The Vikings then outscored Comstock 30-11 in the second half.
The Niles offense displayed great balance, being led by Jessica Johnson's 11 points. Amber Peters and Sarah Dreher each added 10 while Colombe Martin and Ashley Spriggs each scored six.
Kate Whittaker paced the Vikings in rebounding with 11. Peters had a team-high six steals and Ashley Pingel dished out six assists.
The Vikings host Lakeshore in the first Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference West Division game of the season tonight at approximately 7:30 p.m.
NILES 61
Ashley Pingel 0 2-2 2, Amber Peters 4 2-3 10, Jessica Johnson 5 1-2 11, Leigh Tyler 2 0-0 4, Brandie Radde 2 0-1 5, Sarah Dreher 4 2-3 10, Kate Whittaker 2 1-5 5, Colombe Martin 3 0-0 6, Melissa Olsen 1 0-0 2, Ashley Spriggs 2 2-4 6. Totals: 25 10-20 61
COMSTOCK 15
Liz Myeno 2 0-0 4, Shannon Basore 1 0-0 2, Sandi Stupica 1 2-2 4, Nitasha Grogg 1 0-0 2, LIndsay Barta 1 0-0 2, Julie Smiertka 0 1-6 1, Brittany Brown 0 0-0 0. Totals: 6 3-8 15
Niles 19 12 17 13 -- 61
Comstock 4 0 8 3 -- 15
Three-point shooting: Niles 1 (Radde), Comstock none. Team fouls (fouled out): NIles 11 (none), Comstock 17 (Brown). Team records: Niles 2-0, Comstock 1-1.