By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Friday night's SMAC West Division game between Niles and St. Joe was a preview of the what the fans and the players can expect in the district tournament in less than two weeks.
Niles traveled to St. Joseph for a conference match-up and handed the Bears a 57-44 loss.
But the final score doesn't reflect how close the game was.
At the end of the first period, the Vikings had a three point lead, 13-10, but at halftime St. Joe had the 24-23 advantage.
Niles was able to outscore the Bears in the third, 13-11, to regain the 36-35 lead and outscored St. Joe 15-9 in the fourth to claim the victory.
Nick Etzcorn and Dan Rodts were the only two players to record double digits, scoring 19 and 14 points respectively.
For St. Joe, Jared Knuth was the only player to hit double digits, scoring 10 points.
The Vikes, who now stand 6-1 in the conference, lock up at least a tie for the division title. If the Vikes defeat Dowagiac on Friday, they will win the title outright.
Niles will host the Chieftains March 3 for its last regular season game of the year. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Vikes and the Bears will then meet again in St. Joe on Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m.
Niles 13 23 36 57
St. Joe 10 24 35 44
NILES
Jordan Parks 0 0-0 0, Tom Robson 1 2-2 4, Josh Moffitt 0 0-0 0, Ben Hansen 0 0-0 0, Dan Rodts 1 2 6-8 14, Nate Parks 1 4-5 6, Brandon Thomas 1 2-4 4, Nick Etzcorn 7 1 2-2 19, Pete Brandstatter 2 0-0 4, Nate Orr 0 0-0 0, Mat Peters 0 0-0 0
ST. JOSEPH
Greg Etter 0 1 0-0 3, Zach Kerns 0 0-0 0, Corey Scott 0 0-0 0, Deke Knuth 0 2 0-0 6, Tyler Archer 0 0-0 0, Myles Sanford 0 0-0 0, Jake Olson 1 1 0-0 5, David Clore 3 1 0-0 9, Steven Dahn 1 1 0-0 5, Brad Guinane 3 0-0 6, Jared Knuth 1 2 2-2 10, Brandon Garrison 0 0-0 0