Patterson basket at the buzzer lifts Niles past Buchanan 44-42

Published 9:58 pm Monday, February 26, 2018

By Staff Report

NILES — Sophomore Alycia Patterson scored as time expired to lift the Niles girls basketball team to a 44-42 win over rival Niles in the opening round of the Class B district tournament Monday night.

The Vikings (8-13) advance to the semifinals at Niles High school against Coloma (13-7). Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

In the first semifinal at 5:30 p.m., Berrien Springs (8-13) will face South Haven (5-15). The winner advances to the district championship game at 7 p.m. Friday night.

The Shamrocks defeated Benton Harbor (2-14) 54-35 in the opening game Monday night.

Buchanan (12-8) led 14-13 after one quarter, but trailed Niles, which defeated it 50-46 two weeks ago, 23-22 at halftime.

The two teams flip-flopped the lead after three quarters with the Bucks taking a 30-29 advantage into the final eight minutes of play.

Buchanan had a 41-38 lead with 1:46 remaining, but Niles was able to force a tie a 42-42 with 38 seconds remaining by scoring four points in six to set up Patterson’s dramatics.

Patterson finished with 14 points, three steals and two assists, while Reese Davies added eight and grabbed six rebounds for the Vikings.

Jayla Biggs in her final game at Buchanan, led all scorers with 17 points. Megan Adkerson added seven points.

 

Class B at Paw Paw

The Three Rivers Wildcats defeated arch rival Vicksburg for the third time this season to advance to the Class B district semifinals against Dowagiac at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

The Wildcats (18-3) defeated the Bulldogs (4-17) in the lone game at Paw Paw Monday night.

Dowagiac (5-15) is coming off a 49-41 victory over South Haven in its regular season finale last Thursday.

In the second semifinal at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Edwardsburg will take on host Paw Paw.

The Eddies (19-1) defeated Paw Paw 63-40 in their lone meeting during the regular season.

Paw Paw enters the game with a 6-14 overall record.

The winners advance to the 7 p.m. championship game on Friday.

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