Lady Vikings turn into road warriors, win three of four
BELLINGHAM - The Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings completed a successful road trip over the weekend, winning the consolation bracket at the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges' crossover tournament at Whatcom Community College.
The Lady Vikings (8-2 overall) played two ranked teams at the tournament, losing 77-69 to fourth-ranked Umpqua and beating ninth-ranked Clackamas 95-64.
Big Bend gave Umpqua its toughest test of the three-game tournament. The Riverhawks went on to win the tournament, beating Spokane by 28 points in Sunday's finale, but didn't have such an easy time against the Vikings.
The game featured 10 lead changes in the second half and the eight-point margin was Umpqua's closest win of the year in 11 games.
Kim Bluff led Big Bend with 23 points. Dana Bates scored 13, Heather Burke added 12, and Kaitie Poston finished with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Big Bend rebounded from the close loss in convincing fashion, downing the Pierce College Raiders 88-38. Freshman guard Natalie Lindley was the star, hitting 9 of 10 field goal attempts en route to 23 points. Lindley shot 5 of 6 from 3-point range and also pulled down seven boards.
The Vikings had four other players in double-digit scoring - Burke with 16, Misty Ostlie with 13, Bluff with 12 and Angela Fales with 10 points and eight boards.
Big Bend finished the crossover by hammering the Clackamas Cougars. The Vikings were dominant in all aspects, shooting 53 percent on field goals, 46 percent on 3-pointers, stealing 15 passes and forcing 25 turnovers.
Bates was the all-around offensive star, compiling 21 points on 10 of 11 shooting. Burke added 20 points on 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. Poston scored 17 points, while Ostlie had 15 points, seven assists and just one turnover at the point-guard spot.
Before arriving in Bellingham, Big Bend ripped Edmonds Community College 75-33. The Vikings' high-pressure defense was responsible for 22 turnovers, including 19 steals.
Poston had another double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Bluff had 16 points and seven boards, Burke had 11 points, and Ostlie scored 11 and dished out seven assists.
The Vikings take an extended break before heading to the Edmonds holiday tournament on Dec. 27-29. Big Bend opens NWAACC East Division play on Jan. 5 by hosting Spokane.