By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Benton Harbor came to Niles Thursday evening knowing that the Lady Vikes would put up a battle.
And that they did.
Unfortunately, for Niles, all of the hard work didn't end in its favor as the visiting Tigers took a 76-62 win over the Vikes, keeping them undefeated with an 18-0 record, while Niles drops to 15-3 overall.
Though the point margin was 14 points when all was said and done, that was the biggest advantage Benton Harbor had through the entire contest.
The Tigers jumped to an early lead in the first, going ahead by eight points, 10-2, but after a strong offensive comeback and a three-pointer from Megan Scameheorn, Niles took its first lead of the night, 15-14 with 1:51 left in the period.
Benton Harbor quickly regained the lead on a pair of free throws from freshman Destiny Williams, who had 12 points on the night, but a bucket by Sarah Dreher gave the Lady Vikes an 18-17 lead entering the second. However, that was the last time Niles would have the lead.
The game stayed within single digits throughout the second quarter, and entering halftime the Tigers had a small 32-30 lead over Niles.
The third period continued at the same fast pace game, but toward the end, things started to get ugly as the Vikes started fouling more.
Courtney Webb went 2-for-3 at the line after Scameheorn fouled her from beyond three-point range. After the last shot bounced off the rim, Williams grabbed the rebound for the Tigers and added another two points, to bring the score to 53-45.
At the end of the third, the score stood at 57-50.
Trailing the Tigers by six points in the fourth forced the Vikes to foul.
With just under two minutes to play, Dreher, who led the Lady Vikes with 30 points, picked up a technical foul, allowing Charonne Coleman to go 1-for-2 at the line.
A little over 30 seconds later, Dreher would foul out for the first time this year.
Scameheorn was the next to foul out with 42 seconds to go and Jessica Shinsky received a technical foul with just 20 seconds remaining on the clock.
The Tigers made it to the line 10 times in the fourth, going 10-for-18.
The only other Viking to score in double digits was Brandie Radde, who had 16 points and four asssists.
Benton Harbor was led by Tashayla Jackson who had 16 points, Coleman added 15, Webb ended the night with 14, Williams had 12 and Shante Clark had 10.
The Tigers will face Coldwater and Lakeshore next week.
On Tuesday, their streak was almost broken as St. Joseph held onto a lead most of the game. Benton Harbor only defeated the Bears by eight points, 48-40.
The Lady Vikes return to action on Tuesday when they travel to St. Joe. Tip off time is set for 7:30 p.m.