By Staff
The Niles varsity basketball team suffered its eighth straight loss Friday night, losing 61-38 to Mattawan.
The loss dropped Niles' record to 1-9.
After a close first quarter, Mattawan (5-5) outscored Niles 14-5 in the second quarter to take a 26-13 lead at halftime.
The Vikings were more effective offensively in the second half, scoring 25 points, but gave up 35 to the Wildcats.
Cory Wagonmaker led all scorers with 15 points for Mattawan. Wilbur Ampey added 10 before fouling out.
Dane Ford paced the Vikings with 10 points and was the only Niles player to reach double figures. Brian Ketchum and Marcus Lawshea each scored six.
Sophomore Kelby Jemison played his first game of the season, after sitting out the first semester, and scored two points for the Vikings.
Niles returns to action next week with two more games against Big 16 Conference teams outside of the West Division. The Vikings host Battle Creek Lakeview Tuesday and host Kalamazoo Central Friday.
Mattawan….61
Niles…………38
Mattawan: A.J. Musial 2, David Cultra 2, Greg Gorton 3, Shane Powell 3, T.J. Taylor 6, Cory Wagonmaker 15, David Lawrence 9, Mark Larson 9, Wilbur Ampey 10. Totals: 22 11-26 61
Niles: Scott Quaye 5, Marcus Lawshea 6, Dane Ford 10, Ivery Cross 2, Kelby Jemison 2, Nate Parks 1, Ben Landgraf 2, Jason Rutkowske 2, Brian Ketchum 6. Totals: 10 17-28 38
Niles 8 5 14 11--38
Mattawan 12 14 17 18--61
3-point shooting: Mattawan 8 (Gorton, Powell, Taylor, Larson, Wagonmaker 2, Lawrence 2), Niles 1 (Lawshea). Team fouls (fouled out): Mattawan 24 (Ampey), Niles 20 (none). Team records: Mattawan 5-5, Niles 1-9