Vikings Pick Up Win In NWAC North Region Crossover

Big Bend men's basketball picked up a much-needed win to close the NWAC North Region Crossover, held at Shoreline Community College. The win ended a three-game losing skid for the Vikings, and send the Vikings into the New Year and region play on a high note.

In game one of the crossover, host Shoreline would take a 57-28 lead at the half and never look back, sending the Vikings to a 94-71 defeat. Sophomore Keenan Miller posted 15 points, while sophomore Karon Sears chipped in with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. The Vikings shot a respectable 41% from the field and 76% from the free-throw line but were limited offensively by 19 floor mistakes compared to Shoreline's nine.

In Saturday's (December 17th) matchup versus Highline Community College, a 37-33 halftime lead would not be enough for the Vikings to score the win. Holding a slim 64-63 lead with under a minute to play, a missed layup by Keenan Miller led to a quick Highline timeout, setting up the final play of the game...a dagger three-pointer from Highline's Kanye Taylor to seal the come-from-behind victory for the Thunderbirds. The Vikings were one-again led by Keenan Miller (18 points) and Karon Sears (ten points), with freshman Jeremy Devoe contributing significantly off the bench with 11 points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes of action. Sophomore DJ Frye controlled the glass, posting a season-high 13 rebounds.

In the weekend's final matchup, the Vikings would see a 47-30 lead at the 2:53 mark of the 1st half all but evaporate as Mt. Hood Community College roared into halftime on a 13-2 run. However, the Vikings' slim 49-43 halftime lead, combined with clutch free-throws by freshman Garin Macfarlane down the stretch would seal the 85-81 victory for the Vikings. The Vikings would place four players in double figures, headlined by DJ Frye's 23 points on 8-14 shooting. Keenan Miller was close behind, finishing with 18 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Karon Sears (15 points) and freshman Gage Ellison (ten points) rounded out the double-figure scoring for the Vikings.

The Vikings will take an extended break for Christmas, entering 2023 and the Eastern Region slate on the road at Walla Walla Community College. The double-header will feature women's action at 5:30pm, followed by the men at 7:30pm.