By By JAMI GRANNELL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Defense continues to be the hallmark of the Niles girls' varsity basketball team.
The Lady Vikings (3-2) used a zone defense to knock off previously undefeated Marshall (3-1) Tuesday night in a Big 16 Conference non-divisional contest, 46-37.
"I thought we bounced back from a tough loss last Saturday against Dowagiac as we seemed to play with more confidence," Niles coach Jim Arnold said. "Marshall was averaging 56 points per game and I was pleased with our effort, especially our zone."
Niles grabbed a 12-10 lead after one period of play and extended it to 24-16 by halftime.
Neither team could find the range offensively in the third quarter, but the Lady Vikings held a 9-8 scoring advantage to up their lead to 33-24 heading into the final quarter.
Both teams dropped in 13 points in the final eight minutes as Niles held on for its third win in five games.
It was a great game for the Baysia Cox, scoring her first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds, 13 points and a whopping five blocks.
Freshman Nicole Sly, showing a great effort, added seven steals, eight points and four assists. It was an all around team effort for the Vikings Tuesday night as Lindsay Craig contributed seven points, three assists and grabbed nine rebounds, while Courtney Teske added eight points.
"Our scoring balance was another positive as was our rebounding," Arnold said. "We got a great effort from everyone and it was a total team effort.
Niles finished the night with 33 rebounds.
The Lady Vikings next contest will be held on Friday at home against the Benton Harbor Tigers. Tip off is at 7:30.
The Niles freshmen basketball team defeated the Redhawks 56-30 Tuesday night.
Alexis McIntee led the Lady Vikings with 21 points. Krystal Avance added 16 points.
"We weren't able to put the ball in the basket in the first half, but in the second half, we were offensively able to execute much better," coach Alyse Hoyt said.
Niles also won in junior varsity action, as the Lady Vikings posted a 58-26 victory over Marshall.
Savannah Wolnik led Niles with 21 points.
MARSHALL 37
Danielle Hicks 2 2-3 6; Haley Dalzell 0 0-0 0; Emily Nielsen 5 0-2 12; Emily Townsend 3 0-0 6; Morgan Long 0 0-0 0; Britt Mackey 0 1-2 1; Tori Patton 1 0-0 2; Kelly Vandyke 2 6-6 10. Totals: 13 9-13 37
NILES 46
Alyssa Pingel 2 0-0 4; Lindsay Craig 1 4-5 7; Gabie Ezell 0 0-0 0; Kaitlyn Touhey 1 4-4 6; Nicole Sly 3 1-4 8; Kaliegh Hill 0 0-0 0; Autumn Lucero 0 0-0 0; Nathalie Lund 0 0-0 0; Courtney Teske 3 2-3 8; Jenna Grannell 0 0-0 0; Baysia Cox 5 1-2 13. Totals: 16 12-18 46
Marshall 10 6 8 13 – 37
Niles 12 12 9 13 – 46
3-point baskets: Hicks (M) 2, Nielsen (M) 2, Craig (N), Sly (N). Total fouls: Marshall 17, Niles 13. Records: Marshall 3-1, Niles 3-2