By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - A fourth quarter rally lifted Niles' varsity basketball team to a 57-53 victory over visiting Clay High School Saturday evening, giving the Vikings their second win in a row to improve to a 5-3 overall record.
The Colonials' top player, Daniel Payne, left his mark in Niles' gym, scoring 35 points including a few dunks, but the effort given by Niles in the fourth was more impressive and left Payne's points in the wind.
Down eight points, 42-34, in the final period, the Vikes quickly caught up and a basket by senior Nick Etzcorn tied the game at 49 with just over two minutes left to play.
Danny Rodts, who is one of Niles' key three-point shooters, nailed a three with 1:54 on the clock to give the Vikes their first lead of the night, 52-51. Niles never looked back and claimed the victory.
Tom Robson, who had four three's on the night to lead Niles in scoring with 14 points. Brandon Thomas added 13, while Rodts had 10.
No other Colonial player scored in double digits.
Niles' junior varsity team suffered a 58-36 loss to Clay Saturday evening.
Bradley Thomas led the way for the Vikes with 12 points, while George Jones had 14 for the Colonials.
Niles returns to action on Tuesday, when it faces another Indiana team, South Bend Riley, on the road. Freshmen, JV and varsity will play at 6, 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. respectively.