PORTAGE — Tate Brawley scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Niles boys basketball team to its first win of the season.

The Vikings (1-5) outscored Portage Central (2-5) 47-40 over the final three quarters to erase a 15-11 first quarter deficit. The result was a 58-55 Big 16 West Division victory for Niles.

Niles still trailed the Mustangs 25-23 at halftime, but outscored them 18-12 in the pivotal third quarter to take a 41-37 lead into the final quarter.

Besides Brawley’s total, the Vikings also got 15 points from Gabe Stokes.

Rodney Turner led a trio of Mustangs in doubles figures with 16 points. Max Ryan added 13.

Niles will host Dowagiac, a 55-53 loser to Edwardsburg Friday night, Saturday afternoon at 3:15 p.m.

 

Niles 58, Portage Central 55

NILES 58

Ray Glenn 2, Gabe Stokes 15, Jeremy Wortham 7, Adam Langmeyer 2, Matthew Miller 6, Tate Brawley 24, Gavin Rasler 2. TOTALS: 21 12-23 58

PORTAGE CENTRAL 55

Rodney Turner 16, Dick Ledbetter 5, Max Ryan 13, Austin McCullough 7, Jacob Allan 4, Matt Capanso 10. TOTALS: 23 6-9 55

 

Niles                11       23       41       58

Central           15       25       37       55

3-point baskets: Niles 4 (Stokes 3, Brawley), Portage Central 3 (Ryan 2, Ledbetter). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 11 (none), Portage Central 21 (Ledbetter). Varsity records: Niles 1-5, Portage 3-5