Big Bend men capture tourney championship

CENTRALIA - Three Runnin' Viks scored in double figures to lead the Big Bend Community College (BBCC) mens basketball team to an 80-77 win over Spokane Community Colleges (SCS) at the Centralia Crossover Tournament last weekend.

Antonio Snow and Blake Skidmore pumped in 21 points each and Kevin James added 14 for BBCC.

"It was a classic match up with Big Bend battling Spokane in the championship game," coach Mark Poth said. "Spokane came into the championship game with an 11-0 record and a No. 1 ranking in the NWAACC basketball poll."

The Runnin' Viks jumped out to a fast start led by Snow and James to go up 45-29 at the end of the first half of action.

CCS battled back in the second half of play, out scoring BBCC 48-35 and nearly pulled out a come from behind win.

The Runnin' Viks shot 49 percent from the floor, 62 percent from the charity stripe, and 40 percent from behind the arc. Snow was named the tournament's MVP and Skidmore was named to the All-Tournament Team.

"I was pleased with the team's effort," Poth said. "I felt like our players really came out and competed and I was very happy with our overall effort and execution." 

The win improved BBCC's overall record to 8-1 on the season. The Runnin' Vikes will be back in action at home Dec. 29 and 30 when the team hosts the Big Bend Holiday Classic.