Yaks slow Vikings in OT
Big Bend forward Jeff Ranstrom (40) scores on a shot over Yakima Valley 's Jody Johnson (4) during the first half of Wednesday night's 110-107 triple-overtime loss. Photo by Derrick Pacheco/Columbia Basin Herald
MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Vikings men’s basketball team went on a rollercoaster ride Wednesday night when they hosted the Yakima Valley Yaks at the DeVries Activities Center.
The Vikings held a slim 34-33 halftime advantage and rolled to a 10-point lead late in the second half before the Yaks rallied to force three overtime periods for a 110-107 victory.
Big Bend led for the majority of the second half before a tenacious Yakima Valley defense began to pressure the Big Bend offense in the final minutes, forcing costly turnovers as the Yaks mounted a late comeback to take a 76-73 lead in the game’s closing seconds.
With the visiting Yaks holding a 76-73 lead with less than five seconds left on the clock, Big Bend’s Michael Hattar pushed the ball the length of the court.
With two seconds left in the game, Hattar pulled up from behind the 3-point line and released the basketball.
The ball rotated off his fingertips, soared through the air and fell through the twine as the buzzer sounded to tie the game at 76-76 and force the first of three overtime periods.
Big Bend continued to battle in the extra period and with two minutes left Hattar hit another shot from behind the 3-point line to give the Vikings an 83-80 lead.
The Yaks rallied to tie the game 83-83 with 12.1 seconds left.
The Vikings offense took control of the basketball and hammered the ball down to the post with the game on the line.
Big Bend tried repeatedly to get the ball in the basket, but a stiff Yakima Valley defense stood strong to deny the Vikings and force a second overtime.
The teams continued to battle through the second overtime, but neither the Vikings nor the Yaks could get a handle on the game. The teams collided on the glass to a 15-15 tie and a third overtime.
After 55 minutes of basketball, the Yaks proved too much for the Vikings down the stretch. Yakima Valley outscored the Vikings 12-9 in the game’s final minutes for a 110-107 victory.
Hattar led the Vikings in scoring Wednesday night with 29 points and Jeff Ranstrom added 24 points.
The Vikings return to the court Saturday when they travel to Wenatchee Valley to take on the Knights at 4 p.m.