Balanced attack keys Vikings at Walla Walla

Bluff scores 22, but Big Bend women fall

WALLA WALLA - The Big Bend Community College men's basketball team continues to play well on the road.

As a result, the Vikings will have a chance to earn a share of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges' East Region lead on Wednesday if they can once again win away from home.

Fourth-ranked Big Bend (17-3 overall, 6-1 East) won its sixth straight game on Saturday, knocking off the Walla Walla Warriors 98-84 as five players finished in double-figure scoring.

That means Wednesday's contest at top-ranked Spokane (20-1, 7-0) has serious implications. Win, and the Vikings tie for the division lead. Lose, and they're two games back with only six left.

Big Bend took a 48-42 lead into halftime against Walla Walla (7-13, 3-4) by hitting five 3-pointers. The Vikings spent a lot of time at the free-throw line in the second half, making 16 attempts. Big Bend shot only 66 percent (23 of 35) at the stripe, but stayed out of foul trouble themselves - the Warriors were only 5 of 9 on free throws.

The Vikings also earned a 52-39 edge in rebounding, which helped offset the 15 treys Walla Walla hit.

Point guard James York led a balanced scoring attack for Big Bend, scoring 19 points on 7 of 13 shooting to go along with six assists. Brett Vriesman was a dominating inside presence, going for 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Will Winn hit 6 of his 8 field-goal tries and finished with 15 points.

Daley Landon struggled from the floor but was a perfect 6 of 6 at the line for 14 points. Cameron Mero's story was the same, and the freshman guard chipped in 12 points.

Justin Brown had 21 points to lead Walla Walla, burying 7 of his 19 tries from 3-point range. Mark Minarik had 19 points, Cameron Stevenson scored 18 and Beau Blewett added 10.

In Saturday's first game, the Lady Vikings played good enough defense to win, but shot only 31 percent from the floor in a 66-58 defeat.

Big Bend trailed 31-25 at halftime after launching 14 3-pointers and making only two. The Vikings also turned the ball over 21 times, which neutralized a solid defensive effort. The Warriors were only 33 percent from the field and committed 19 turnovers, though they did have a 56-43 margin in rebounding.

Big Bend's Kim Bluff had a game-high 22 points, going 10 of 17 from the floor while adding five rebounds and four blocked shots. But Misty Ostlie was the only other Viking in double-figure scoring, tallying 13 points by hitting 8 of 8 on free throws.

Angela Fales had a team-high nine rebounds for the Vikings, but the team had only two assists on their 20 made field goals.

Brittanie Toone led Walla Walla with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Katie Strunk and Allie Dreadfulwater each scored 12 points for the Warriors.

Wednesday's doubleheader at Spokane begins with the women's game at 6 p.m., with the men to follow at 8 p.m. The Vikings are back at home on Saturday to host Yakima Valley - the women at 2 p.m. and the men at 4 p.m.