A slow start was too much for visiting Niles to overcome in its 45-40 loss to Buchanan in the regular season finale for both teams Thursday night.

The Bucks (12-8) tuned up for next week’s district tournament by jumping out to a 23-9 first half lead on the Vikings (6-14).

Niles outscored Buchanan 31-22 in the second half, but could not overcome the large first half deficit.

Tyler Flynn led Buchanan and all scores with 17 points, while Christian Catalano added seven.

Gavin Rasler had 10 points for the Vikings, who also got nine points from Gabe Stokes.

 

BUCHANAN 45, NILES 40

Niles 40

Gavin Rasler 4 2-4 10, Tyler Phillips 1 2-2 4, Adam Langmeyer 3 0-0 8, Ray Glenn 1 1-3 3, Gabe Stokes 3 2-4 9, Sammy Rodts 1 0-0 2, Dontae Murphy 2 0-0 4, Derek Brown 0 0-0 0, Devin Kuemin 0 0-0 0, Jalen Alexander 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 15 7-13 40

Buchanan 45

Christian Catalano 3 1-2 7, Dustin Gray 3 0-0 6, Eli Lewis 3 0-0 6, Tim McCaffrey 1 1-4 4, Tyler Flynn 5 5-6 17, Josiah Smith 1 0-0 2, Dalton Riddle 1 0-0 2, Jarrett Thomas 0 1-2 1, Isaiah Moore 0 0-0 0, Bryce Vineyard 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17 8-14 45

 

Niles                4          9          20       40

Buchanan       12       23       34       45

3-point baskets: Niles 3 (Langmeyer 2, Stokes 1), Buchanan 3 (Flynn 2, McCaffrey 1). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 18 (Glenn), Buchanan 17. J.V. score: Niles 55, Buchanan 45. Varsity records: Buchanan 12-8, Niles 6-14