PORTAGE – Visiting Niles outscored Portage Central 9-1 in overtime Tuesday night and escaped with a 65-57 victory over the Mustangs in Big 16 Conference West Division boys basketball action.

Matthew McLaughlin hit a pair of free throws with 16 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime.

McLaughlin finished with a game-high 17 points.

The Vikings (11-1, 7-1 West) led 16-12 after the opening quarter and 29-20 at halftime.

Portage Central (2-10, 1-7 West) cut the lead to 45-40 heading into the final quarter of regulation. The Mustangs outscored Niles 16-11 in the fourth quarter to force the extra session.

NILES 65

Myles Busby 8, Matthew McLaughlin 17, Austin Parks 6, Logan Harpenau 3, Alec Brown 3, Anthony Bice 3, Taylor Campbell 16, Quientin Irby 9, Mitch Dehn 0. TOTALS: 21 17-25 65
PORTAGE CENTRAL 57

Schneider 2, Kushner 14, Mills 5, Flight 2, Harning 15, Templeton 9, Hill 6, Alkhamis 2, Casanto 2. TOTALS: 20 9-14 57

Niles 16 29 45 56 65

Portage Cenetral 12 20 40 56 57

3-point baskets: Niles 6 (McLaughlin 2, Busby, Harpenau, Brown, Bice); Portage Central 8 (Kushner 4, Templeton 3, Mills). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 15 (none), Portage Central 19 (none). JV score: Portage Central 50, Niles 46. Records: Niles 11-1, 7-1 SMAC West; Portage Central 2-10, 1-7 SMAC West