NILES — Sports are full of superstitions, and sometimes that’s all it takes to get things going in the right direction.

The Niles boys basketball team was on an eight-game losing streak before coach Jesse Hardin changed up his look on Friday night when the Red Dragons hosted Struthers.

Hardin was dressed for success with a white shirt and black tie as Niles ended their losing streak with a 69-62 victory.

“I’m very superstitious,” Hardin said. “Everybody knows that. The last two years, on Senior Night, I’ve worn it and we’ve come out victorious. So, tonight, I decided to bring it out to see what would happen. Now, everyone wants me to wear it again next game.”

Takees Fambro (12 points) scored six points and senior Trey Davis added five points. Mason Burns made one from behind the arc, and the Dragons led 18-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Jimmy Shaffer had a good take for Struthers. Tyzjere Price (team-high 12 points) nailed one from downtown, and Logan Marciano made a layup as the Wildcats grabbed a 31-29 lead at halftime.

Niles sophomore Cash Carey-Hardin (game-high 23 points) laid it in to start the third quarter. And then Price made another 3-pointer for Struthers. However, senior Alex Doyle made a move in the low-post to give the Dragons a 47-45 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Senior Tommy Cole (10 points) made a smooth jumper to begin the fourth, while fellow senior Anthony Pastella scored on a fastbreak. Gionni Stewart (11 points) nailed a 3-pointer and the Wildcats (2-12, 1-6) regained the advantage.

“Rebounding the ball is very essential,” Struthers coach DJ Aldish said. “We got out rebounded. Hats off to Niles for playing hard. Both programs are struggling right now. They played grittier than us tonight.”

Davis (12 points) leads the Dragons (3-12, 2-6) by averaging 11 rebounds per game, and he had a big rebound and put-back to regain the lead for Niles.

“It was a good game,” Davis said. “It was a good comeback. I want coach to keep dressing up for these games.”

Joey Lehman made a couple of free-throws and Boyle converted on a move inside to seal the victory.

“We were on a losing streak,” Hardin said. “The boys battled. With our record being what it is, for the boys to come out hungry and paying attention to detail is really important for us.

“We know that when we take care of the basketball that we have a good chance to win. We ended the game with only six turnovers. That really helped us. Also, we shot free-throws really well. I’m just really proud of the team.”