The Niles boys’ basketball team had every opportunity early on Friday night to compete with the visiting Tigers of Benton Harbor, but turnovers and plenty of missed baskets ultimately led to a 67-47 loss.
Trailing by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, the Vikings went on an 11-2 run to end the period, cutting the Tigers lead to just seven at 44-37.
Senior Austin Curran provided a huge spark for the Vikings during the run as he connected on back-to-back 3-point baskets and added an assist to Chris Brown, while Robert Brown also knocked down a 3-pointer rounding out the run.
“Austin Curran did a great job off the bench for us tonight,” Niles coach Todd Pawielski said. “He’s been shooting the ball so well this year in practice it was nice to see him get rewarded in the game.”
Unfortunately for the Vikings, the momentum they gained ending the third period quickly vanished early in the fourth, as four-straight empty possessions led to eight quick points for the Tigers, pushing the lead from seven to 15 and out of reach for the Vikings.
“We have to give credit to Benton Harbor for harassing us and pressuring us all over the floor,” Pawielski said. “But we have to be more sound and make things happen when we have the ball in our hands.”
The Vikings are in the midst of a 3-8 season.
Niles has struggled to score points throughout the 2016-2017 campaign , having tallied 50 or less points seven times. And when the Vikings do score points, the defense has allowed more than 50 points seven times.
The Vikings are back in action tonight against Battle Creek Central in a non-divisional SMAC contest.