Frye & Macfarlane Pace Basketball Opener

Big Bend Men's Basketball opened the 2022-2023 season in the Skagit Valley College Turkey Tournament this past weekend. Against a tough slate of opponents, the Vikings finished 1-2 for the weekend.

In the first matchup against Whatcom Community College, despite placing five players in double figures, the Vikings saw a nine-point halftime lead evaporate, as the Orcas would score a season-best 61 points in the second half, on their way to a 101-96 victory. Sophomore DJ Frye scorched the nets, shooting 10-15 from the field, leading the scoring (21) and rebounding (14) charge for the Vikings. Garin Macfarlane finished with 15 points, followed closely by Karon Sears (14), Quin Goldsmith (13), and Keenan Miller (10). The difference in the game would be found in the turnover column, as the Orcas were able to score 21 points off the Vikings' 27 floor mistakes.

On Saturday versus host Skagit Valley College, the Vikings would see a 38-23 halftime lead evaporate, as the homestanding Fighting Cardinal would take a 61-60 lead with nine seconds to go on a three-pointer by Skagit Valley's Hodges Flemming. However, the Vikings had one final opportunity, capitalizing on a layup by DJ Frye with three seconds remaining, to take the 62-61 victory. Freshman Garin Macfarlane paced the Vikings with 16 points and eight boards, while DJ Frye followed up Friday night's stellar play with 12 points and 14 rebounds. The Vikings held Skagit Valley to 34% (24-70) from the field and 25% (9-36) from three-point range on their way to their first victory of the season.

Peninsula College took Sunday's matchup against the Vikings, prevailing 80-48. In the second half, the Pirates took control of what had been a back-and-forth contest for much of the game, going on a 21-2 run over the final 7:38 to notch their fifth win of the season. The Pirates countered a third stellar game from Vikings Garin Macfarlane (15 points) and DJ Frye (10 points) by placing five players in double figures and holding the Vikings to 15% (2-13) from three-point range.

The Vikings will have little time to recharge, as they turn their attention to a three-game tilt at Spokane Community College in the yearly Bigfoot Classic beginning Friday, December 2^nd.