Runnin' Vikes Set For Second Half After Tough Loss

After a tough home loss to the Blue Mountain Timberwolves, the Runnin' Vikes hoped to get back on track with their final game of the first half of conference play. Desperately needing a win, BBCC hit the road to Wenatchee Valley College to take on the Knight on Wednesday January 31st.

With their top scorer Malik Beauford returning from injury, the Runnin' Vikes were set to attack the rest of the season with a healthy squad. Unfortunately, this plan was short lived as Beauford went down with an injury after only recording 9 minutes of playing time putting the Vikes right back where they started. With Beauford out, Big Bend needed others to fill his shoes. The Vikes struggled in the opening half shooting 36% from the floor while turning the ball over 6 times resulting in a 9 point deficit entering half time. 

Needing to get the offense going in the second half to close the gap proved difficult, as the Wenatchee defense managed to hold the Vikes to 35% shooting while forcing 8 turnovers in the second half. With the offense struggling, the defense held their own holding the Knights to 37% shooting. Going into the final 20 minutes of play down 9 the offense was unable to overcome the hole that had been dug resulting in a tough road loss with a final score of 71-62. Diego Carrera led the Viking offense with 15 points on 50% shooting along with Gideon Harris chipping in with 14 points of his own on 5-11 shooting.

Head Coach Jason Hopkins was unavailable to comment regarding the loss. 

Big Bend starts the second half of conference play as they host the Columbia Basin Hawks at the Devries Activity Center on Saturday February 3rd at 4:00pm. 

As always, keep up with the Vikings on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as through the NWACSports Network's livestream video platform, where available.