The Niles boys basketball team suffered its second setback of the young 2013-14 season as the Benton Harbor Tigers came to town and knocked of the Viking 68-66 in a Big 16 Conference West Division clash Tuesday night.

The Vikings were plagued by miscues, turnovers, and untimely misses (including a last second lay-up that would’ve forced an overtime), as the Tigers rallied from a 36-29 deficit at the end of the first half to outscore Niles 39-30 over the remainder of the game.

Tate Brawley led the Vikings, as well as all scorers, with 30 points, while teammates Gavin Rasler and Gabriel Stokes each added 10 points to the Vikings’ cause.

Cortez Moore and John Robinson each paced the Tigers with 16 points. Curtis Dawson also netted 12 for Benton Harbor’s winning effort.

“We found an enemy out there tonight, and unfortunately, it was ourselves,” Niles head coach Todd Pawielski said. “We snatched victory and put it in to the jaws of defeat. We need to get better at ball handling and making plays when the game is on the line.”

Pawielski and company will hope to have the ship righted by Friday when the always tough Portage Northern squad tries to invade the Niles gym. Tip-off is slated for 7:15 p.m.

 

BENTON HARBOR 68

Cortez Moore 16; John Robinson 16; Curtis Dawson 12; Jaton Gunn 9; Darrel Hall 4 Willie Wilson Jr. 3; Edward Headspeth 3; Devontae Jones 3; Demarcus Hall 2. TOTALS: 27 9-20 68

NILES 66

Tate Brawley 30, Gavin Rasler 10, Ray Glenn 0, Gabe Stokes 10, Matthew Miller 5, D.J. Murphy 1, Jeremy Wortham 8, Connor Glick 2. TOTALS: 22 20-30 66.

 

B. Harbor              15            29            52            68

Niles                        12            36            61            66

3-point baskets: Benton Harbor 5 (Robinson 2, Headspeth 1, Jones 1, Gunn 1), Niles 2 (Brawley 2). JV score: Benton Harbor 49 (Jalen Stevens 17), Niles 43 (Alex Harpernau 12). Varsity records: Benton Harbor 2-0; Niles 0-2, 0-2 West