PORTAGE — Alec Brown’s 3-pointer with four seconds remaining in overtime lifted the Niles boys basketball team to a 58-57 Big 16 West Division win over host Portage Northern Friday night.

Brown’s shot also erased the fact that Niles led an 18-point lead get away from it in the third quarter.

The Vikings led 42-24 late in the third quarter, but a 22-3 run allowed the Huskies to tie the game at 51-51.

Niles (2-5) had to rally from a five-point deficit in overtime to earn the victory.

“It wasn’t what we wanted, but we showed a lot of courage down the stretch,” Niles coach Todd Pawielski said.

Brown led the Vikings with a game-high 24 points.

Anthony Bice added nine.

Adam Ashbaugh and Mick Keizer led Northern with 19 points apiece.

 

NILES 58

Anthony Bice 9; Cole Clemens 3; Alex Brown 24; Jesse Jordan 2; Tate Brawley 8; Jeremy Wortham 1; Matthew Miller 5; Mitch Dehn 6. TOTALS: 20 11-20 58

NORTHERN 57

Brandon Bye 7; James White 2; Adam Ashbaugh 19; Daveon Carlisle 3; Blake Therian 5; Steve Tagett 2; Mick Keizer 19. TOTALS: 22 8-13 57

 

Niles 13 26 42 51 58

Northern 6 18 33 51 57

3-point goals: Niles 7 (Brown 3, Brawley 2, Bice, Clemens), Northern 5 (Ashbaugh 4, Carlisle). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 16 (Dehn), Northern 21. Records: Niles 2-5