The Ring Lardner eighth grade basketball team Tuesday edged Dowagiac 37-35 to avenge a loss from last season for the second straight night.

“Playing back to back games is never an easy thing to do, especially when both games are away from home,” Niles coach Mike Gallo said. “Asking a team to win both games against opponents that beat them last year is even tougher, and that is exactly what our kids showed tonight in picking up their second big win in two nights, toughness.”

The Vikings are now 4-1.

Dowagiac grabbed an early 6-0 lead in the contest, but Ring Lardner’s Derek Brown scored eight straight points to get the Vikings back into the contest.

Ring Lardner led by two after one quarter and by four at halftime.

The Chieftains battled back and led 35-34 with about 30 seconds remaining.

Gavin Rasler hit a pair of free throws to put the Vikings ahead to stay.

“Every kid that played tonight did something positive for us and should feel great about what they accomplished this week,” Gallo said.

Tyler Phillips led the Vikings with 17 points, Rasler added six points and eight rebounds.

Seventh grade

The Ring Lardner seventh grade improved to 5-0 with a 46-19 win over Dowagiac Tuesday.

Alex Harpenau led the Vikings with 10 points. Jacob Hamn and Jerrod Glenn each had eight points. Hunter Slaughter finished with five point and Dustin Anders four. Kenny Gathright chipped in with three points and four rebounds.