Big Bend men close in on East title; women lose to CBC

MOSES LAKE - A solid performance in both halves of play was enough to put the Big Bend Vikings men's basketball team that much closer to a title.

Behind Hayes Garrity's 20 points and a strong defensive effort, the Vikings cruised past Columbia Basin College 73-51 at Peter DeVries Activity Center Wednesday night to clinch at least a tie for the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College (NWAACC) East Division title.

The Vikings (19-4, 11-1) lead the East by two games with two games left to play over second-place College of Spokane.

John Buhler added 15 points and Spencer Pingel poured in 13 points for the second-ranked Vikings who outscored CBC by 11 points in each half.

Ben Olayinka chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Big Bend held their guests to 37 percent shooting from the field and to 20 percent from beyond the arc.

Olayinka also led the Vikings to a 41-26 rebound advantage.

Big Bend can clinch an outright East title with a win tomorrow at Walla Walla CC or next week against Wenatchee Valley CC in Moses Lake. A Spokane loss would also clinch the top seed out of the East for the Vikings.

Columbia Basin College women 87, BIG BEND 68

Their backs up against the wall with a hoped for playoff spot slipping away the Big Bend Lady Vikings couldn't get that needed breakthrough.

On Wednesday, the Lady Vikings saw any shot of a NWAACC East top four spot and subsequent playoff berth slip away in an 87-68 loss to Columbia Basin College (21-2, 10-2).

"In spite of the final score, I was pleased with the way we played," Big Bend head coach Preston Wilks said. "We showed good composure against their full-court pressure tonight, and ended the game with just 17 turnovers.  Secondly, I was happy with our aggressiveness. "

Big Bend (11-13, 4-8) grabbed 21 offensive rebounds and got to the line 24 times to illustrate their aggressive approach.

"The real difference in the game is they finished with their shots in the paint and we didn't," Wilks said. "Other than the overall shooting percentages, I felt like we showed up tonight and gave them a battle. "

Brin Neff led Big Bend with 20 points and Ali Nielsen added 19 points and seven rebounds as the team shot only 33 percent from the field compared to the East Division leaders, CBC's 57 percent.

Tomorrow night the Lady Vikings travel to Walla Walla CC for a 6 p.m. tip off.