By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
The hopes of a perfect season are over for the Niles varsity basketball team.
The Lady Vikings lost a 63-58 double overtime thriller Tuesday night at Mattawan to drop to 9-1 at the halfway point of the season.
Mattawan outscored Niles 7-2 in the second overtime period to clinch the win and improve to 8-2 on the year. The Wildcats are an honorable mention team in the latest Class A rankings while Niles is ranked No. 2 in Class B.
Playing without starting point guard Amber Peters who is nursing an injured ankle, the Vikings still had a well-balanced offensive attack with sophomore Sarah Dreher leading the way. She registered a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Ashley Spriggs added 11 points and senior Jessica Johnson scored 10.
Sophomore Brandie Radde also tried to pick up the slack with seven points, eight rebounds, four steals and four assists.
Hilary Disch led the Wildcats with 20 points and was one of four Mattawan players in double figures. Jamie Munting scored 11 while Lizzy Julian and Courtney Knox each added 10.
Tuesday's game marked the end of a six-game road stretch for the Vikings. Niles has not played at home since Tuesday, Sept. 9, but returns home for two games next week. The Vikings host Battle Creek Lakeview Tuesday and Kalamazoo Central Thursday.
Mattawan….63
Niles…………58 (2OT)
Mattawan: Courtney Wolthins 1 2-2 4, Hilary Disch 6 7-7 20, Jamie Munting 5 0-0 11, Lizzy Julian 4 2-4 10, Amanda McBride 2 2-6 6, Emily Regan 0 2-2 2, Courtney Knox 5 0-2 10. Totals: 23 15-21 63
Niles: Ashley Pingel 0 0-0 0, Jessica Johnson 3 4-4 10, Leigh Tyler 0 0-2 0, Brandie Radde 3 0-0 7, Sarah Dreher 8 1-2 17, Kate Whittaker 1 2-4 4, Colombe Martin 0 0-0 0, Melissa Olsen 3 2-2 8, Ashley Spriggs 4 2-2 11, Meg Scameheorn 1 1-1 3. Totals: 22 12-17 56
Mattawan 17 10 7 18 4 7--63
Niles 16 13 13 10 4 2--58
3-point shooting: Mattawan 2 (Disch, Munting), Niles 2 (Radde, Spriggs). Team fouls (fouled out): Mattawan 12 (none), Niles 21 (none). Team records: Mattawan 8-2, Niles 9-1