NILES — Salem senior Karlie Sampson just missed a long-distance, 3-point attempt at the buzzer, and Niles hung on for a 56-54 victory at home over the Quakers on Monday.

“I don’t even know where to start,” said first-year Niles coach Chelsea DiPaolo. “We were up by 18 points. They came all the way back. In the end, we pulled through and that’s all that matters. We said, ‘Just win today.'”

The Red Dragons were up 19-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Quakers trimmed the deficit to 30-24 at halftime. However, Niles junior Kherington Stanford helped the Dragons extend their advantage to 48-30 heading to the fourth quarter.

“Kherington always helps out with everything,” DiPaolo said. “She’s a hard worker, and I think Maddie Yost is the best point guard in the area.”

Yost ended the third quarter with a 3-pointer before Stanford made back-to-back baskets to start the second half. Then, Stanford stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for a layup before drawing a charge on defense.

“We gained a lot of momentum in that third quarter,” said Stanford, who finished with 11 points in the contest. “We were up by 18 points heading to the fourth, and then it got a little nerve-wracking. Luckily, we knew how to settle the game down, and hold the ball, and get to the line.”

Salem (6-3) went on a quick 8-0 run in the first minute of the fourth quarter. Junior Abby Knickerbocker (game-high 21 points) had a steal, and a layup, before nailing one from downtown.

“We were dealing with a lot of our girls feeling sick,” said Salem coach Matt Mowery. “I’m super proud of the girls for competing like they did. We were down by 18 points. To have a shot to win it at the buzzer, you can’t ask for anything more.”

Salem junior Peyton Colbert scored 9 of her 15 points in the fourth quarter, and Niles junior Ava Ferri (13 points) was hustling to keep the Dragons (6-2) ahead.

Niles senior Caroline Cormell cleaned things up underneath the basket, and the Dragons were clinging to a 54-51 advantage with 45 seconds remaining in regulation.

Then, Yost (team-high 16 points) made a pair of clutch free-throws before Knickerbocker knocked down another one from behind the arc with 6 seconds to go. The Quakers had one more chance after a rebound, but Sampson’s last second shot fell just short.

“I’m excited to be coaching this group of girls,” DiPaolo said. “They come to work everyday, and our goal is to win the conference this season.”