Late run to NWAACC title ends for Vikings

KENNEWICK - At the turn of the calendar from 2010 to 2011 many may have thought a run to a Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) basketball title would have been out of the cards for the Big Bend Vikings.

Despite an 8-3 start they were saddled with numerous injuries and a young team having to play shorthanded entering NWAACC East Division play.

Then they lost their division opener at the College of Spokane and no one might have guessed what would happen next.

Slowly the Vikings got healthy, got hot, and especially got to winning, again and again and again.

A 13-game winning streak gave them the East title and a top seed heading into this year's NWAACC Tournament at the Town Toyota Center in Kennwick which began on Saturday.

Last night they were 40 minutes from a potential title shot in this evening's final if only they could overcome Pierce CC, following back-to-back overtime wins to get this far.

Halfway through their battle with Pierce the Vikings led 35-30 at halftime, marking the third consecutive game in which they led after 20 minutes.

Unfortunately their trend of allowing the opposition to fight back also happened for a third straight night but this time the Vikings would let the game slip out of reach without a chance at overtime.

Pierce would outshoot Big Bend 51 to 31 percent in the second half and that would be enough to help them rally for a 76-65 semifinal victory which ends the Vikings' 15-game winning streak.

Today at 2 p.m. the Vikings will play for third place.

Despite hitting nine three-pointers to Pierce's two, Big Bend (23-5), were outscored 18-6 from the foul line while Pierce (23-6) also hit two more field goals to make the difference.

Hayes Garrity scored 16 points and dished five assists for the Vikings while Blake Skidmore added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Center Ben Olayinka added 11 points and 10 rebounds for Big Bend.