Runnin' Vikes knocked out by Clackamas

Big Bend falls behind late to lose by four

KENNEWICK — The Vikes went into the locker room at halftime with a 4-point lead but the ebb and flow of the game gave Big Bend a 79-75 loss in the second round of the NWAACC Tournament Friday.

Mark Schlofman started the second half scoring for Big Bend, shooting 2-for-2 from the freethrow line.

Clackamas then went on an 8-0 scoring run to take the lead from the Vikings just two minutes into the half.

Big Bend coach Mark Poth called a time out to talk things over with his team and, after the time out, the scoring drive was stopped when Clackamas put Antonio Walker on the line. Walker went 1-for-2 to cut the Clackmas lead to three.

Thirty seconds later, Walker was on the line again and converted both free throws to make it a 40-39 ball game.

On Big Bend's next trip down court, Jeff Curfman hit his second 3-ball of the game to give the Vikings the lead and then earned a blocked shot at the other end of the court.

Derek Miller unloaded for his fourth 3-point shot of the game to again give the Vikings the lead.

Clackamas tied the game at 45 with an easy bucket on their next trip down court.

Curfman hit another three to earn the lead for Big Bend and cap off some aggressive offense by the Runnin' Vikes.

Nearly two minutes went by before the Vikes scored again. It was Walker who stopped the drought for Big Bend, shooting 2-for-2 in a 1-and-1 situation on the line.

Blake Solomon made his presence known in the second half with an off-the-dribble jumper to make it 52-49 and followed the jump shot with a 3-ball on Big Bend's next possession.

With ten minutes left in the game, Clackamas took the lead and stretched it to five before Big Bend could answer with a layup by Jordan Baker.

The next four points for the Runnin' Vikes came from the freethrow line where Solomon went 4-for-4.

Big Bend found themselves down four when Curfman battled for the bucket and free throw. He converted the 3-point play to make it 66-65.

The Vikes, again, began to lag behind allowing a 5-point lead before calling a time out. Coming out of the time out Solomon hit a layup on his way to the floor to close the gap.

Baker tied the game at 70 with four minutes remaining in the game.

Clackamas scored four quick points before Solomon could drive for two to cut the margin in half.

Clackamas regained a 4-point margin but it was short-lived. Miller stepped back and hit a 3-ball to make it 76-75.

Big Bend would not score again in the ball game.

Solomon led the team with 24 points. Miller had 15 points, all on 3-point shots, and seven rebounds. Walker had 13 points and five rebounds. Curfman had 12 points, including three 3-point shots.