By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Niles' varsity basketball team improved its record to 2-1 Tuesday evening with a 75-40 win over Portage Central in Big 16 West Conference action.
The Mustangs put up a battle early in the first as both teams took turns sharing a small lead or a tie, but sophomore Brandon Thomas' dunk sparked the Vikes and allowed them to break free for the rest of the game.
After the dunk, Thomas scored three additional baskets in the first, all of which were assisted by senior guard Nate Parks. Thomas had 17 points in the first period alone to help give Niles a 21-12 lead.
In the second period, the Vikes stayed on top, as Portage Central was only able to come within six points of a lead, 25-19.
Nick Etzcorn, who missed last Friday's game due to strep throat, was back in action Tuesday, grabbing big rebounds and posting a threatening inside game for Niles. His three points in the quarter, along with two back-to-back three pointers from Robson and a bucket from Thomas with seconds left helped lift Niles' lead to 36-23 at halftime.
That lead would only grow in the second half, as Niles ended the third ahead 52-33, leading to the final score of 75-40.
Thomas lead Niles in scoring for the third straight game with 25 points. He also brought down five rebounds.
Robson added 13 points and Etzcorn had seven.
Portage Central's Justin Griffin led the Mustangs with 15 points.
Niles will travel to Benton Harbor on Friday. Tip off time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Junior Varsity game
Niles' JV basketball team also picked up a win Tuesday evening against Portage Central, 65-38.
Bradley Thomas led the Vikes in scoring with 17 points, while Justin Williams had 10. Matt Robinson led the Mustangs with 13 points.
Niles 21 36 52 75
Portage Central 12 23 33 40
NILES
Jordan Parks 0 1 0-0 3, Tom Robson 1 3 2-2 13, Josh Moffitt 0 1-2 1, Ben Hansen 0 1 0-0 3, Danny Rodts 0 0-0 0, Nate Parks 2 0-0 4, Demetrius Phillips 1 0-0 2, Brandon Thomas 9 2 1-1 25, Nick Etzcorn, 3 1-5 7, Pete Brandstatter 2 0-1 4, Lavette Walker 1 4-4 6, Nate Orr 0 0-0 0, Paul Dreher 1 3-5 5, Mat Peters 1 0-0 2
PORTAGE CENTRAL
Andrew Smith 0 0-0 0, Ashton White 0 2-4 4, Matt Myers 2 1-2 6, Brandon Phillips 0 0-0 0, Colin Norman 1 0-0 2, Matt Cutler 0 0-0 0, Justin Griffin 6 1 0-1 15, Cameron Larkin 1 2-5 4, Pete Everts 2 0-1 4, Wayne Bond 3 1-5 7
Three point shooting: Robson 3 (N), Thomas 2 (N), Hansen 1 (N), J. Parks 1 (N), Griffin 1 (PC), Myers 1 (PC). Total fouls: Niles 20, Portage Central 19. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: Niles 20, Portage Central 24. Varsity records: Niles 2-1, Portage Central 0-3