Big Bend loss not treasured

ONTARIO, Ore. — A tough 74-54 loss to Treasure Valley Community College on Saturday dropped the Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings into a tie for third place in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) East Division.

Big Bend (10-7, 3-2) trailed 27-20 at halftime before the host Chukars (11-5, 3-2) caught fire in the second half and pulled away behind a strong defensive effort.

Both teams are now tied with Columbia Basin College (11-5, 3-2) in the East.

The Lady Vikings were hurt by 23 percent shooting from the field despite hitting 42 percent of their three-point shots during the game.

TVCC shot 35 percent from the field and outrebounded Big Bend 53-37.

Kendra Schwulst scored 14 points to lead Big Bend while Dana Bates chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Tayler Anderson led the Lady Vikings with nine rebounds.

The previous evening Big Bend captured a win in Pendleton, Ore. with a 69-63 victory at Blue Mountain Community College to salvage a split of their road trip.

The Lady Vikings led 38-24 at halftime against the Timberwolves (7-9, 0-5) before holding off a second-half comeback attempt by the hosts.

Big Bend shot 33 percent from the field and 29 percent from the three-point line.

Blue Mountain forged a comeback by holding Big Bend to 28 percent shooting in the second half, while shooting 43 percent themselves.

Sarah Smith’s 16 points led the Big Bend offense, while Bates and Chayla Hirz each finished with 15 points.

Anderson led the Lady Vikings’ rebounding effort with nine and Bates added eight.

Columbia Basin College travels to Moses Lake on Wednesday to take on Big Bend starting at 6 p.m.