Vikes Drop Defensive Battle to Treasure Valley in Conference Thriller

The Big Bend Vikings men's basketball team hit the road to Ontario, OR, to face Treasure Valley CC, looking to open their conference schedule with a 2-0 start. What unfolded was a defensive showdown that went down to the wire, but the Vikes ultimately fell short, losing 46-43 in a nail-biter.

BBCC started the game strong, shooting 46% from the field in the first half while holding the Chukars to a paltry 22% shooting. Their defensive effort translated into an 11-point halftime lead, 30-19, giving the Vikings confidence heading into the second half.

However, the second half saw the momentum shift as BBCC struggled offensively, shooting just 27% from the field. Treasure Valley clawed their way back into the game, capitalizing on turnovers and personal fouls to close the gap. The game came down to a pair of free throws made by TVCC in the final moments, giving the Chukars a 46-43 lead.

With 10 seconds remaining, BBCC had possession and a chance to tie the game. Unfortunately, their three-point attempt to force overtime missed its mark, sealing the Vikings' defeat.

Gideon Harris led BBCC in scoring with 13 points, but the team's struggles with ball security and discipline proved costly. The Vikings committed 24 turnovers and 23 personal fouls in the loss.

Head Coach Jason Hopkins reflected on the game:
"We had a fantastic defensive performance, but we turned the ball over too much and didn't execute down the stretch. You can't go on the road against good teams and expect to win if you turn the ball over like we did. But we gave ourselves a chance to win by playing hard and defending.

Dominik Wojna was really good for us—he has started to really improve each game, and we will continue to need him."

The Vikings will look to regroup and clean up their mistakes as they prepare for their next conference matchup. Despite the setback, their defensive intensity continues to be a bright spot for the team.