Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

PAW PAW —  Visiting Niles held off a late Paw Paw rally to remain on top of the Wolverine Conference boys basketball standings as the Vikings defeated the Red Wolves 59-49 Tuesday night.

The win improves Niles to 15-4 overall and 11-1 in league games heading into Friday’s clash with third-place Edwardsburg. The Eddies are 9-3 in the conference following a 64-40 victory over Sturgis Tuesday.

Niles shutout Paw Paw 12-0 in the first quarter, and held the Red Wolves to nine points in the opening half, The Vikings led 32-9 at the break.

Paw Paw scored 40 second-half points to make the final score look more respectable, but were unable to overcome the early deficit.

Mike Phillips led four Niles players in double figures with 14 points. The Vikings also got 12 points from Brenden Olsen, 11 points from Ethan Chambliss and 10 points from Brayden Favors.

Caden Brown led the Red Wolves with 12 points.

 

Girls Basketball

Paw Paw stayed in the thick of the Wolverine Conference title chase with a 77-43 lead over host Niles Tuesday night.

The Red Wolves outscored the Vikings 30-6 in the first quarter and never looked back.

Elly Matlock had 12 points to lead Niles, which falls to 1-15 overall and 1-10 in conference action. Jessie Thornton added nine points.

A.J. Rickli led Paw Paw with 20 points.

Niles travels to Edwardsburg Friday night.