A big second quarter helped the Niles boys basketball team edge neighbor Buchanan 67-59 in the regular season finale for both teams Thursday night.

The Vikings (9-11) trailed 15-8 after one quarter, but outscored the Bucks (13-5) 18-6 in the second to take a 26-21 halftime lead.

A 12-0 run in the third quarter helped Niles build a 10-point advantage (47-37) heading into the final eight minutes of action.

Buchanan, despite 29 points from Doug Freeman and 20 points from Kevin Dey, were unable to make up the difference in the fourth quarter.

Niles’ Tate Brawley scored a game-high 28 points, while Gavin Rasley added 10 and Gabe Stokes eight.

Brawley was 9-of-14 from the floor with four 3-pointers.

The win avenged a loss to Buchanan from last season.

Niles heads into Class A District action Monday night when it travels to Portage Central to take on the Mustangs. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

Buchanan will head up to Stevensville for the Class B district. The Bucks face Berien Springs in the opening game of a doubleheader at 6 p.m.

 

Niles 67, Buchanan 59

BUCHANAN 59

Kevin Dey 7 6-7 20, Alex Leiter 1 0-0 2, Elijah Lewis 0 0-0 0, Doug Freeman 9 7-9 29, Tim McCaffrey 1 0-1 2, Christian Catalano 1 1-2 4, Dustin Gray 1 0-0 2, Josiah Smith 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 20 14-19 59

NILES 67

Jeremy Wortham 2 2-4 6, Connor Glick 1 3-4 5, Matt Miller 0 0-0 0, Tate Brawley 9 6-9 28, Gabe Stokes 3 2-2 8, Gavin Rasler 5 0-0 10, Ra’Quon Glenn 2 1-3 5, Donte Murphy 1 1-1 3, Adam Langmeyer 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 24 15-23 67

 

Buchanan                   15       21       37       59

Niles                            8          26       47       67

3-point baskets: Buchanan 5 (Freeman 4, Catalano 1), Niles 4 (Brawley 4). Total fouls. Buchanan 18, Niles 16. Varsity records: Niles 9-11, Buchanan 13-5