Vikings open season with resounding win

MOSES LAKE —  Not only were they back to their familiar scoring ways, but the Big Bend Vikings’ basketball team turned up the defense.

In their season opening, they gave a 104-78 shellacking to Everett Community College at DeVries Activity Center Wednesday night.

The Vikings (1-0) slowly built up the lead in the first half and led 51-37 by intermission.

They proceeded to blow the game open soon after both teams returned from the locker room.

“We came out and we played hard for the most part,” Big Bend coach Mark Poth said Thursday.  “For our first game of the season I was pleased with our effort. We have a long ways to go to be ready for where we need to be. But if we continue to play hard we could be a pretty good basketball team.”

Big Bend held Everett to 35.2 percent shooting including 34.1 percent from behind the arc.

They also outrebounded Everett 60-39.

Offensively, six Viking players scored in double figures, including Jeff Ranstrom who led with 19 points.

Antonio Snow added 16 points, Brandon Brooke, Charles Nunn, and John Buhler each contributed 13 points,  while Dominick Brumfield added 10 points.

Ranstrom also pulled down 12 rebounds while Brumfield grabbed six rebounds and Nunn snatched another five rebounds.

Michael Hattar recorded an all-around performance of eight points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

“I think you’re going to see (multiple double figure scorers) often since we have good depth this year,” Poth said. “We didn’t have anyone play 30 or more minutes. Everyone contributed and played a solid game. Hopefully each kid can come in, play hard, and help wear teams down.”

Big Bend shot 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from three-point range.

The Vikings went 66 percent from the free throw line, something Poth noted they need to improve on.

Additionally, Big Bend took 16 more shots from the field thanks to 30 offensive rebounds, seven via Ranstrom’s efforts.

Big Bend recorded 25 second-chance points from their rebounding efforts and their bench outscored Everett’s 42-27.

Big Bend’s offense led to 18 assists on 40 made shots, or a 45 percent clip.

Next up, the Vikings travel to the Walla Walla Classic to take on Columbia Basin Community College at  4 p.m. today. They then take on Mt. Hood Community College tomorrow, starting at 6 p.m.