By Staff
BATTLE CREEK - Visiting Niles came up a basket short Friday night against Battle Creek Lakeview in a Big 16 Conference non-divisional game.
The Vikings, 5-5 overall, outscored Lakeview 25-15 in the final eight minutes, but came up just short, losing 66-64.
Lakeview (9-2) led 14-11 after one of play and 30-25 at the intermission.
Battle Creek broke the game open in the third quarter, outscoring Niles 21-14 to take a 51-39 advantage into the fourth quarter.
But it was all Niles in the final eight minutes.
The Vikings poured in 25 points in a valiant comeback effort.
Thomas Robson led all scorers with 20 points, including three, 3-pointers.
Nick Etzcorn added 14 points and Kelby Jemison 10 points.
Battle Creek Lakeview was led by Carl Mulder's 19 points. Lakeview also got 16 points from Devin Kline and 12 points from Nathanial Woodson.
Andy Palmer added 11 points.
Niles returns to action Tuesday night as it travels to Kalamazoo Central. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
NILES 64
Quaye 1 4-6 6, Robson 4 3-4 20, Jemison 3 1-1 10, Parks 2 0-0 4, Wregglesworth 2 0-0 4, Etzcorn 7 0-0 14, Brandstatter 1 0-0 2, Walker 2 0-0 4. Totals: 22 8-11 64
LAKEVIEW 66
Kline 3 (2) 4-12 16, Bivens 1 2-3 4, Drikakis 1 0-0 2, Mulder 7 5-6 19, Morris 0 0-1 0, Woodson 5 2-7 12, Palmer 5 1-2 11, Upton 1 0-0 2. Totals: 23 14-31 66
Niles 11 25 39 64
Lakeview 14 30 51 66
Three-point baskets: Robson (N) 3, Jemison (N) 1, Kline (BCL) 2.
Varsity records: Lakeview 9-2; Niles 5-5.