By Staff
COLDWATER - The host Coldwater Cardinals outscored Niles 46-23 over the final three periods en route to a 55-41 Big 16 Conference non-divisional victory Friday night.
The Vikings raced out to an 18-9 first quarter lead, but were unable to reach double digits in scoring in any of the remaining three quarters.
Coldwater got hot from the field and outscored the Vikings 16-8 in the second quarter, 10-7 in the third quarter and 20-8 in the final eight minutes of play.
Niles held a 26-25 lead at the intermission, but trailed 36-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
Both teams tossed in 10 first half field goals and were 4-of-6 from the free throw line.
The Vikings were able to hold a one-point advantage at the break thanks to a pair of three-pointers compared to just one triple by the Cardinals.
Coldwater connected on 9-of-20 field goal attempts in the final 16 minutes (45 percent), while Niles struggled shooting the basketball.
The Vikings were just 4-of-24 (17 percent) in the second half and finished the night shooting 28 percent.
Coldwater also held a 36-33 advantage on the boards, while it committed 13 turnovers compared to 16 for the Vikings.
Nick Etzcorn scored 11 points to lead Niles offensively. The Vikings also got 10 points from Brandon Thomas, who played despite an injured ankle. Daniel Rodts finished with seven points and Thomas Robson five points.
Ben Hansen led the Vikings with seven rebounds. Nate Parks had six rebounds.
Joe Haberl led all scorers with 14 points and six rebounds. Sean Springstead finished with 13 points. Brandon White and Ryan Gleeson each scored eight points.
NILES 41
Jordan Parks 0 0-0 0, Thomas Robson 2 0-0 5, Ben Hansen 0 2-2 2, Daniel Rodts 2 2-2 7, Nate Parks 2 0-0 4, Brandon Thomas 3 2-2 10, Nick Etzcorn 4 3-6 11, Pete Brandstatter 0 0-0 0, Nate Orr 1 0-0 2, Mathew Peters 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 9-12 41
COLDWATER 55
Aaron Pietrowski 0 0-1 0, Jack Versau 0 0-0 0, Sean Springstead 6 1-2 13, Logan Mathews 3 0-0 7, Chase Snyder 0 0-0 0, Brandon White 3 2-2 8, Chris Wood 0 0-0 0, Corey Post 1 2-2 5, Ryan Gleeson 1 5-6 8, Joe Haberl 5 4-5 14. Totals: 19 14-18 55
Niles 18 26 33 41
Coldwater 9 25 35 55
Three-point baskets: Robson (N), Rodts (N), Thomas (N) 2, Mathews (C), Post (C), Gleeson (C). Total fouls: NIles 19, Coldwater 12. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: None