Vikings Fall Just Short in Heartbreaker Against Wenatchee Valley

After a tough loss to Walla Walla CC on Saturday, Big Bend Community College looked to bounce back as they traveled to Wenatchee Valley to cap off their three-game road trip. However, the Vikings struggled early and ultimately suffered a narrow 51-50 defeat in a game that saw two very different halves.

The first half was rough for BBCC, as they struggled on both ends of the floor. Offensively, the Vikings shot a season-low 30% from the field in the first 20 minutes and went 0-for-13 from beyond the arc. On the other side, the Knights were far more efficient, hitting 48% of their shots, including five three-pointers. The Vikings' woes were compounded by 11 turnovers, leading to a 29-16 halftime deficit.

Despite the early struggles, BBCC came alive in the second half. The Vikings found their rhythm offensively, shooting 44% from the field and nearly 40% from three-point range. Slowly but surely, they chipped away at Wenatchee Valley's lead, showing resilience and determination. With just 1:18 left in the game, BBCC took a 50-49 lead, completing an impressive comeback.

However, Wenatchee quickly responded, reclaiming the lead at 51-50. With 35 seconds left, a costly Viking turnover gave the Knights a chance to extend their lead, but BBCC's defense came up with a clutch steal with just six seconds remaining. Head Coach Jason Hopkins called a timeout, drawing up a final play for Gideon Harris to take the game-winning shot. Unfortunately, Harris' three-point attempt fell short, sealing a heartbreaking one-point loss for Big Bend.

Gideon Harris and Marki Ibrahim led the Vikings with 11 points each, while Domink Wojna posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Coach Hopkins was unavailable for comment after the game. The Vikings will now return home for a brief one-game homestand, hosting Treasure Valley Community College on Saturday, February 8th, as they look to regroup and get back into the win column.