Runnin' Vikes kick it up a notch
BBCC Vikings Basketball
MOSES LAKE - Two home wins over the weekend for Big Bend Community College (BBCC) men's basketball landed the Runnin' Vikes in a first place tie with Yakima Valley Community College.
Both teams sport a 4-1 record in the East Division standings, but BBCC has a one-game lead overall at 15-4.
BBCC 111
BMCC 87
The first of two wins came against Blue Mountain Community College in an offensive minded game that saw the teams combine for 198 points Friday.
The Runnin' Vikes had four players score in double-figures, led by the 30 points from guard Brendan Westendorf. Kamen McCullough and Ryan Page added 18 each, and Trevor Johnson finished with 15.
There wasn't' a lot of defense on display in either half as BBCC took a 49-43 lead at the break, and hung 62 points on the board in the second half to the Timberwolves 44.
Cameron Sanchez added 9 points in the win over BMCC, Kevin Walker had 8, Kyle Nield knocked down 5, Bryce Perez and Rylie Josey had 3 each, and Ely Howard finished with 2.
The Runnin' Vikes shot 60 percent from the field, 65 percent from beyond the arc, and 67 percent from the free throw line. BBCC held a slim 32-26 edge in rebounds, but dished out 27 assists to the Timberwolves 15.
BBCC 92
TVCC 64
Kyle Nield scored 33 points, Brendan Westendorf added 18, and Ryan Page finished with 16 in the win over the Chukars Saturday afternoon.
The Runnin' Vikes got out to an early lead and never looked back as BBCC hung 61 first half points on the board to TVCC's 24. The Chukars outscored the Runnin' Vikes 40-31 in the second half of play to try and make a game of it, but didn't pose a real threat the entire contest.
A strong defensive effort throughout by BBCC had a lot to do with that as the Runnin' Vikes limited the Chukars to 38 percent shooting from the field, and 17 percent from 3-point range.
"Two great wins for us," coach Mark Poth said. "We are playing well as a team .. have definitely improved on both ends of the floor and have the potential to play better as we continue to work hard and focus on getting better everyday."
BBCC is back on the hardwood tonight when the Runnin' Vikes head south to match up with the Hawks from Columbia Basin Community College.