Viking men split at Walla Walla Classic

WALLA WALLA - Daley Landon and Will Winn scored 15 points apiece as the Big Bend Community College Runnin' Vikes tore through the Linfield College junior varsity squad 93-55 on Saturday at the Walla Walla Classic tournament.

Big Bend surged to a 44-25 lead at halftime by shooting 50 percent (17 of 34) from the field. The Vikings relied on free-throw shooting to maintain their lead in the second half, hitting 22 of 24 attempts. For the game, Big Bend was 29 of 32 (91 percent) at the line.

Landon was a perfect 10 for 10 on free throws and added six rebounds and three assists. Winn was 3 of 5 from 3-point range and had five rebounds.

Hugh Brown hit 5 of 6 field goals to finish with 13 points and fellow big man Brett Vriesman was 6 of 9 for 13 points. Kolby Secrist added 10 points for the Vikings.

The game was a sloppy one, with the teams combining for 78 turnovers. But Big Bend had a plus-17 advantage in points off turnovers, and also outscored the Wildcats 28-11 in second-chance points.

On Friday, the Runnin' Vikes dropped an 85-76 decision to the Mt. Hood Saints. The Vikings crept back into contention after trailing 48-32 at halftime, but never got over the hump.

Landon did all he could to bring Big Bend back, leading all scorers with 31 points, including nine 3-pointers. Brown was the only other Viking in double figures, adding 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

The Vikings generally struggled with their shots, however, finishing at 39 percent, while Mt. Hood shot 53 percent as a team. Kyle Dierick and Mike Wohlers each scored 22 points for the Saints.

Big Bend hosts the Basic American Foods Classic this Friday and Saturday at DeVries Activity Center. Big Bend's women start the event on Friday with a 3 p.m. game against Northwest Indian College, while the men get started later that night against Another Level at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the Lady Vikings play Mt. Hood at 2 p.m., while the men face an alumni squad at 4 p.m.