BBCC men get back-to-back wins

The 2012-13 Big Bend Community College Men's NWAACC Eastern Region Championship team.

by Bob Kirkpatrick & Herald Sports Editor
| February 20, 2013 5:05 AM

MOSES LAKE - The Runnin' Vikes picked up two wins over the last five days to run their record to 12-1 in league play and 23-4 overall, and capture the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College's (NWAACC) East Division Championship for the third time in the last four years.

BBCC beat Columbia Basin Community College (CBCC) by 24 points at home Feb. 13, and then turned back Walla Walla by 6 points on the road Saturday.

"Winning another Eastern Region title is great accomplishment, especially considering the conference was really balanced this year," coach Mark Poth said. "We lost our league opener at Spokane and bounced back with 12 consecutive wins to repeat as champions."

BBCC 91

CBCC 67

Four Runnin' Vikes scored in double-figures in the lopsided win over the Hawks. BBCC was led by Brendan Westendorf's 40 points. Kevin Walker and Kyle Nield added 11 each, and Ryan Page finished with 10.

The game was never in doubt as the Runnin' Vikes opened up a 48-33 halftime lead, and then outscored CBCC 43-34 in the second half of action to win going away. BBCC won the rebound battle 47-42, hit eight buckets from beyond the arc to CBCC's three, and scored 16 bench points to the Hawks 8.

Brandon Funston and Trevor Johnson added 7 points each, Kamen McCullough had 3, and Ely Howard scored 2 points to round out the tally for the Runnin' Vikes.

BBCC 73

WWCC 67

The Warriors gave BBCC all it could handle in the second game of the week as the Runnin' Vikes held a slim 1-point lead at the break, 31-30.

But the second half of play saw BBCC get a bit more breathing room and steal a hard fought win on the road. Westendorf had the hot hand again for the Runnin' Vikes with 20 points. Nield scored 16 and pulled down 10 boards, Page added 15 points, Funston knocked down 7, McCullough scored 6, Johnson chipped in 5, Walker tallied 3, and Cameron Sanchez finished with 1 point.

BBCC finishes the regular season at home tomorrow night at 8 p.m. against Wenatchee Valley Community College.