Big Bend Splits with Spokane in NWAC matchup

The Big Bend Community College men’s basketball team remained unbeaten in Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) competition Wednesday overcoming a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Community Colleges of Spokane, 105-92.

The Runnin’ Vikes (11-5, 3-0 NWAC) had three players who scored more than twenty points — sophomore Zach Shepherd (Garfield HS, Seattle, WA) led the team dropping 23 points and pulling down 9 boards. Freshman Joey Andrews (Riverton HS, Riverton, UT) added 22 points and Freshman Jai Jai Ely (Skyline HS, Idaho Falls, ID) netted 21 points in the win.

Week 5 NWAC Under Armour Player of the Week sophomore Jacob McCord (Westlake HS, Westlake, UT) also turned in a strong performance and was just one rebound shy of a double-double finishing with 17 points and 9 boards.

As a team, the Runnin’ Vikes shot 53 percent (39 of 73) from the field Wednesday and connecting on 23-of-28 free throws (82 percent).

Spokane Sasquatch 60, Lady Vikings 57 OT

In the evening’s opener, the Lady Vikings dropped their first NWAC contest of the year in an overtime thriller.

After freshman Kelsey Foster (Layton HS, Layton, UT) drained a 3-point bucket at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime, Big Bend would fall just short in the extra period getting outscored 11-8.

The Lady Vikings were led by Foster who scored 13 points in the loss with freshman Sunnie Martinez (Layton HS, Kaysville, UT) chipping in 11 points. Freshmen Hailey Garrity (Westview HS, Beaverton, OR), Emily Allan (Spanish Fork HS, Spanish Fork, UT), and Callie Gronning (Soda Spring HS, Soda Springs, ID) each added 9 points, 8 points, and 8 points respectively.

Both the men’s and women’s team will return to NWAC action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to take on Walla Walla. The women’s game will tip-off at 2 p.m. with the men to follow at 4 p.m.