Vikings Earn Victory 54-46 in Defensive Battle to Open 2026 NWAC Women's Basketball Championship, Presented by ICCU

PASCO, Wash. — Big Bend (27-3, 12-2) held off a late Bellevue (15-14, 10-4) comeback attempt to win 54-46 in Game 1of the 2026 NWAC Women's Basketball Championship, presented by ICCU, at Columbia Basin College.

The Vikings used a big second quarter to jump ahead 29-18, leading by as many as 21-points in the third quarter. Bellevue rallied late and cut the deficit to just six points with a minute left, but could not get any closer. BBCC was strong on the boards with a 55-36 rebounding advantage.

The game started with intense defense from both teams. The Vikings opened the scoring with a jumper by Kaliyah Evans at 8:19, followed by a jumper from Oaklie Jackman, assisted by Claire Cox, to extend the lead. Cox hit a three-pointer at 6:18, giving the Vikings a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs rallied back with Aysha Peter scoring a jumper and a three-pointer, and Lily Auelua's layup tied the game at 7-7. Shannel Kovalsky's layup at 2:38 gave Bellevue a 9-7 lead, which it maintained to the end of the first quarter.

BBCC surged ahead in the second quarter with a commanding performance, outscoring Bellevue 22-9. Evans was instrumental, contributing a layup at 8:34 and a three-pointer at 3:00, widening the gap. Jackman also made an impact with a three-pointer at 4:15, assisted by Evans. The quarter concluded with Emily Dana scoring a layup at the buzzer, assisted by Oakley Homer, establishing an 11-point lead for the Vikings at halftime.

Jackman led BBCC with a strong performance in the third quarter, contributing crucial points to extend the lead. She scored a layup at 8:59 and completed the three-point play with a free throw, bringing the score to 32-18. Jackman continued her impact with another layup at 7:46 and secured a defensive rebound at 8:04. Dana added to the advantage with a three-pointer at 3:08, assisted by Jackman, increasing the lead to 41-20. The Bulldogs struggled with shooting, managing only two field goals in the quarter, while BBCC capitalized on free throws, extending its lead to 43-26 by the end of the third quarter.

The Vikings maintained a significant lead throughout the fourth quarter, despite a scoring surge from Bellevue. Peter of the Bulldogs narrowed the gap with a three-pointer at 6:40, but Homer responded with a three-point play at 2:43, assisted by Evans. Bellevue's final efforts included a jumper from Auelua at 0:35, but Homer secured the win for the Vikings with two free throws at 0:12, extending the lead to 54-46.

Evans stood out as a key player for BBCC, leading the team with 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Jackman also made a significant impact, scoring 14 points and securing 11 rebounds, while contributing defensively with four steals. Dana provided a balanced performance with nine points and seven rebounds, demonstrating efficiency with her shooting. Ashlynn Purcell was notable for her defensive play, recording two steals and a block. Homer added depth to the lineup, contributing 11 points and leading the team with two blocks.

Bellevue's standout performers included Peter, who led the team with 17 points and nine rebounds, showcasing her scoring ability with six field goals, three of which were 3-pointers. Kovalsky also contributed significantly, adding 12 points and eight rebounds, while her defensive efforts were highlighted by two steals. Alexis Marcussen made her presence felt defensively with a team-high three steals, alongside contributing four points and three rebounds. Auelua added depth to the defense with two steals, while also scoring eight points.

The Vikings will next play in the Elite 8 on Saturday, awaiting the winner of the Clackamas vs. Highline game. Bellevue finishes a solid season with a 15-14 record, taking third place in the North Region.