Host Niles was outscored by Mattawan 20-14 in the final quarter as the Wildcats spoiled the Vikings’ season open with a 55-46 victory Friday night.

A poor shooting night by Niles proved to be costly in the end as the Vikings were a mere 18-of-65 for 28 percent.

Neither team lit up the scoreboard in the opening quarter and Niles didn’t score its first field goal of the game until the closing seconds of the opening quarter.

The Wildcats (2-0, 1-0 Big 16 West) outscored Niles 13-10 in the second quarter to take a 21-14 lead at the half.

The Vikings (0-1, 0-1 West) cut the lead to 35-32 by the end of the third quarter, but couldn’t hit enough shots in the final eight minutes to overtake Mattawan.

Despite its shooting woes, Niles was 7-of-9 from the free throw line and outrebounded Mattawan 41-39 with Gavin Rasler grabbing a game-high 10 caroms.

Gabe Pelak scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Wildcats, who also got 17 points from Darek Ditto.

Tate Brawley led Niles with 12 points, Jeremy Wortham added 10 points.

 

MATTAWAN 55

Darek Ditto 7 3-4 17, Ben Richardson 2 1-3 5, Caleb Doonan 1 4-4 7, Myles Nesbitt 3 1-2 7, Gabe Pelak 7 1-2 19, Joey Knapp 0 0-0 0, Nick Haldes 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 20 10-15 55

NILES 46

Gavin Rasler 3 1-2 7, Connor Glick 0 0-0 0, Matt Miller 2 0-0 4, Tate Brawley 3 4-4 12, Gabriel Stokes 3 2-2 9, Jeremy Wortham 5 0-0 10, Ra’Quon Glenn 0 0-0 0, Donte Murphy 2 0-1 4, Adam Langmeyer 0 0-0 0. TOTALS 18 7-9 46

 

Mattawan       8          21       35       55

Niles                4          14       32       46

3-point baskets: Mattawan 5 (Pelak 4, Doonan 1), Niles 3 (Brawley 2, Stokes 1). Total fouls (fouled out): Mattawan 9 (none), Niles 14 (Wortham). Varsity records: Mattawan 2-0, 1-0 West; Niles 0-1, 0-1 West