Lady Vikings Slip At Everett

After starting the season 2-0 and taking a quick break for the Thanksgiving holidays, the Big Bend Community College Lady Vikings found themselves up against stiff competition in the 26^th Annual Everett Community College Classic.

In Friday's (December 2^nd) contest against Whatcom Community College, the Lady Vikings found themselves in a back-and-forth thriller the entire night. Holding a 76-70 lead with 13 seconds remaining in the contest, the Lady Vikings saw what appeared to be an impending win quickly erased, as the Lady Orcas' Audrey Hansen knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to send the contest to an extra period. The final seconds of the overtime period was poised to feature similar dramatics, as the Lady Orcas, holding a slim 87-85 lead with 13 seconds remaining, fouled freshman Skylee Hopkins. However, Hopkins was only able to convert on one of two free-throw attempts, and two ensuing field goal attempts off offensive rebounds could not find the bottom of the net, as the Lady Vikings fell 87-86. Hopkins and sophomore Callie Tolman had the hot hand all night, combining for 52 of the Lady Vikings' 86 total points. Both also scorched the nets from deep, shooting a combined 9-21 from three-point land. Hopkins added 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the young season. Sophomore Ambra Hacker was the only other Lady Viking in double figures, as she finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Macy Hellstern put together her own double-double, finishing with team highs in assists (11) and rebounds (11).

Saturday's (December 3^rd) contest against host Everett Community College would be all Lady Trojans. The Lady Vikings found themselves in a 37-19 halftime hole from which they were unable to recover, eventually falling to the homestanding club 68-48. Sophomore Kassidy Alder would come off the bench to lead the Lady Vikings with 13 points and 10 rebounds, followed closely by Callie Tolman's 12 points. Macy Hellstern once again controlled the glass with a team-high 12 rebounds, while also dishing out seven assists. The Lady Trojans stifling defense held the Lady Vikings to 21% (16-75) shooting from the field and 19% (6-31) from three-point range.

The weekend finale (December 4^th) would be an all-to-similar outcome to Saturday's contest, as the Lady Cardinals of Skagit Valley College would build upon a 39-29 halftime lead to take 73-57 win over the Lady Vikings. The Lady Vikings' shooting woes continued from deep, as they finished a combined 6-29 (20%) from three-point range. The Lady Vikings placed two in double figures, as Kassidy Alder led the way with 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds, followed closely by Ambra Hacker's 14 points and six rebounds. Macy Hellstern continued her dominance of the glass (seven rebounds) and the passing game (seven assists).

After five consecutive road contests to start the season, the Lady Vikings will open a five-game homestand this weekend, with contests against Peninsula College (December 9^th) and Northwest Indian College (December 10^th), followed by an opportunity to host the NWAC's annual Crossover Tourney during the Lady Viking's last action before the holidays.