PORTAGE — It didn’t take long for visiting Niles to put Portage Northern away Friday night.

The Vikings rebounded nicely from their second loss of the season Tuesday night at the hands of Lakeshore by routing the Huskies 78-43 in boys basketball action.

The game was over after just one half of play.

Niles (15-2, 11-2 Big 16 West) moved into a tie with Kalamazoo Central and Lakeshore for first play in the division as the Maroon Giants were upset by Benton Harbor.

The Vikings doubled up the Huskies 16-8 after one quarter of play and then outscored them 19-7 in the second quarter to open up a 35-15 halftime advantage.

To make sure there was no doubt about who was going to win the game, Niles poured in 29 points in the third quarter.

“We did a nice job of playing with urgency right from the get-go,” Niles coach Todd Pawielski said. “We spaced the floor real nice in the third quarter and got some open looks. We knocked down almost all of them. We had a lot of guys shoot the ball well tonight from 3-point land.”

Niles finished with game with nine 3-pointers, including three from Austin Parks, who finished with 13 points. Matthew McLaughlin and Logan Harpenau both added a pair of treys.

McLaughlin, who had five assists, ended with 13 points. Myles Busby contributed 13 points and seven rebounds.

“Myles Busby has taken his high level of play to a higher level,” Pawielski said.

Tyler Holland, Zack Penn and Kory Stratton all had 10 points for Portage Northern.

NILES 78

Myles Busby 13; Matthew McLaughlin 13; Austin Parks 13; Logan Harpenau 8; Alec Brown 6; Arias Williams 5; Taylor Campbell 9; Quintin Irby 5; Mitchell Dehn 6. TOTALS: 26 17-21 78

NORTHERN 43

Tyler Holland 10; Zack Penn 10; Steve Tagett 4; Brandon Smith 7; Kory Stratton 10; Adam Vizard 2. TOTALS: 19 5-7 43

Niles 16 35 64 78

Northern 8 15 30 43

3-point baskets: Niles 9 (Busby, McLaughlin 2, Parks 3 Harpenau 2, Campbell). Northern 0. Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 12 (none), Northern 17 (none). Technical fouls: Niles (Busby), Northern (Holland). Varsity records: Niles 15-2, 11-2 West; 3-15, 1-12 West

Niles…38

Northern…37

PORTAGE —Visiting Niles built up a seven-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter and then held on for dear life.

The Vikings (6-13, 4-9 Big 16 West) were outscored 10-4 in the final eight minutes, but were able to escape with the victory.

Niles led 12-8 after one quarter Friday night of the girls basketball game and 21-18 at halftime.

Maureen Craig led all scorers with 17 points, including four 3-pointers. Taylor Brandstatter added 12 points for the Vikings.

Brandstatter also had four assists and four steals. Craig finished with four rebounds, two assists and three steals.

Maddie Franks and Natalie Visard both scored 10 points to lead the Huskies.

Portage Northern is now 2-17 on the season and winless in the Big 16 West Division.

NILES 38

Taylor Brandstatter 12; Alexis Arnold 2; Kylee Myer 0; Maureen Craig 17; Lashonda Greene 5; Michelle Briand 2. TOTALS: 12 9-16 38

NORTHERN 37

Katelyn Niefert 3; Casey Shauman 2; Rachael Horton 0; Karlie Fisher 0; Jesselyn Leach 4; Maddie Franks 10; Natalie Visard 10; Ashley Dentler 6; Maggiie Wooley 2. TOTALS: 13 8-11 37

Niles 12 21 34 38

Northern 8 18 27 37

3-point baskets: Niles 5 (Brandstatter, Craig 4), Northern 0. Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 13 (none), Northern 15 (none). Varsity records: Niles 6-13 4-9 West; Northern 2-17 0-13