Vikings open with wins over alumni squads

MOSES LAKE - The Big Bend Community College men's basketball team opened its season on Friday night with a 131-89 victory against a team of Vikings alumni players.

The Runnin' Vikes lived up to their names in the win, opening up a 77-50 halftime lead and coasting home from there. Five players scored in double figures, including sophomore guard Daley Landon, who had a game-high 30 points and hit 5 of 14 shots from 3-point range.

"For our first game I was very pleased with the overall effort we received from the entire team," Big Bend head coach Mark Poth said via e-mail. "We are very young and I feel this gives us a solid foundation to build upon."

Other Vikings who took starring roles included guard Cameron Mero (28 points on 8 of 14 shooting), forward Hugh Brown (15 points on 5 of 9 shooting and seven rebounds), guard Will Winn (15 points on 5 of 9 shooting) and forward Brett Vriesman (10 points on 4 of 8 shooting).

Additionally, Josh Schouman and Kolby Secrist each scored nine points, with Secrist, a Moses Lake High School graduate, tying for the team lead with seven rebounds.

Big Bend finished 23 of 44 on 3-point atttempts. Terino Butler led the alumni with 12 points, their only player in double figures.

The Viking men host Salish Kootenai College on Wednesday, a 6 p.m. tip-off at DeVries Activity Center.

Big Bend's women also won handily over a group of alumni on Friday, winning 79-50.

Warden High School graduate Dana Bates had a "great all-around game," head coach Preston Wilks said, accounting for a team-high 17 points, six rebounds and five steals.

Sophomore co-captain Heather Burke finished with 14 points and the Lady Vikings' high-pressure defense forced 30 turnovers, including 21 steals.

Big Bend returns to action on Wednesday, hosting Salish Kootenai College at 8 p.m., or immediately following the conclusion of the men's game. On Thursday, the Vikings host Seattle Community College at 8 p.m.