PORTAGE — Host Portage Northern outscored Niles 23-19 in the fourth quarter to force overtime in the Class A District opener for both teams Monday night.

The Huskies (14-7) would then outscore Niles 8-7 in overtime to pick up a 67-66 victory and advance to tonight’s semifinal against St. Joseph, a 51-48 winner over Portage Central Monday night.

Niles (6-15) led 18-13 after one quarter, but trailed 27-26 at halftime.

The Vikings reclaimed the lead, 40-36, heading into the final eight minutes of play and led by three points in the closing moments but could not hold on to their advantage.

In overtime, the Huskies were up three when Gabe Stokes connected on a 3-pointer to knot the score.

After running the clock down, Portage Northern was fouled going to the basket with nine seconds left, made both, and then made two more following a Niles turnover.

Stokes, who finished with a game-high 28 points, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Besides Stokes, Niles got 19 points from Gavin Rasler.

Caleb Eustes led five Portage Northern players in double figures with 18 points.

 

PORTAGE NORTHERN 67, NILES 66 OT

Niles 66

Donte Murphy 1 0-0 2, Ray Glenn 2 3-5 8, Gabe Stokes 6 12-14 28, Sam Rodts 3 0-1 6, Gavin Rasler 8 3-4 19, Tyler Phillips 1 1-2 3. TOTALS: 21 19-26 66

Portage Northern 67

Tommy Henry 4 3-3 12, Max Schueneman 3 2-3 10, Caleb Eustes 3 11-14 18, Tre Humes 3 0-0 11, Blake Therrian 1 2-3 4, Daryn Snow 5 2-4 12, Ben Keiser. TOTALS: 20 20-28 67

 

Niles                            18       26       40       59       66

P. Northern                13       27       36       59       67

3-point baskets: Niles 5 (Stokes 4, Glenn), Northern 7 (Humes 3, Scheuenman 2, Eustes, Henry). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 25 (Langmeyer), Northern 19 (Schueneman). Technical fouls: Portage Northern (Henry). Varsity records: Niles 6-15, Portage Northern 14-7