By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Niles fell 56-46 at Penn Wednesday night, sending the Vikings to their fourth straight loss and their fifth defeat in six games.
Penn led the entire way, getting ahead 20-8 midway through the second quarter. Niles would make runs at closing the gap, but never got closer than seven points.
It was the second year in a row the Vikings fell to Penn. Last year, Niles lost by 40 at home.
Wednesday's game saw a slow start by both squads. Penn led 14-6 after one quarter. In the second, scoring picked up a bit, but not much, as the Kingsmen led 27-18.
In the third, Penn maintained a nine-point cushion, leading 40-31 heading into the fourth quarter. The Kingsmen then held on for the 56-46 victory.
One bright spot for Niles was the breakout performance of Brandon Thomas. The freshman scored 17 points to lead the Vikings.
Niles also got Nick Etzcorn back against Penn. Etzcorn had sat out the past two games due to back problems.
While the Vikings didn't have a bad shooting night (43 percent from the floor), they did struggle from 3-point range. Niles was 3-of-19 from behind the arc.
The Kingsmen outrebounded Niles 22-17. The Vikings had 16 turnovers.
The Vikings now stand at 4-5 and are set to face SMAC cross-division rival Mattawan at home Friday.
In the junior varsity game, Penn defeated Niles 42-25. Danny Rodts scored seven points to lead the Vikings.
Penn…..56
Niles…..46
Niles (46) - Nate Orr 0 0-0 0, Scott Quaye 1 0-0 2, Thomas Robson 1 0-0 2, Kelby Jemison 3 1-2 7, Nate Parks 3 0-0 6, Paul Wreggelsworth 4 1-2 9, Nick Etzcorn 0 1-2 1, Peter Brandstatter 0 0-0 0, Lavette' Walker 1 0-0 2, Brandon Thomas 7 0-0 17. Totals: 20 3-6 46.
Penn (56) - Beau Bunfee 1 0-0 3, Brent Dunaway 6 11-11 23, Corey Klujsza 0 1-2 1, Wes Laidig 5 2-2 13, Tyler Hamacher 0 0-0 0, Nick Keim 2 0-0 6, Caleb Laidig 2 3-4 7, John Bitsko 0 2-3 2, Andy Davis 0 1-2 1. Totals: 16 20-24 56.
Niles 6 18 31 46
Penn 14 27 40 56
3-point shooting - Niles 3-19 (Thomas 3), Penn 4-16 (Keim 2, Dunfee 1, W. Laidig 1). Rebounds - Niles 17 (Wreggelsworth 5), Penn 22 (C. Laidig 7). Turnovers - Niles 16, Penn 17. Fouls (fouled out) - Niles 19 (none), Penn 10 (none).