Posted: Jan 13, 2025
Treasure Valley Men Win Defensive Slugfest
[Ontario, OR] - In a low scoring affair, Treasure Valley Community College men's basketball faced the Vikings of Big Bend Community College on Saturday. Both teams entered the day 1-0 after winning their NWAC East Region opener games earlier in the week. Although they scored 95 points on the road Wednesday, the Chukars were unable to find the bottom of the net to start the first half on Saturday. Four Chukar men scored the ball in the first half, leading to a 30-19 halftime score, with the Chukars trailing.
Despite another low-scoring half, TVCC held firm on the defensive end in the second half, only allowing 13 points to the Vikings. Kirath Makhar singlehandedly outscored Big Bend, putting up 15 second half points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with :50 seconds remaining in the game. Grabbing 14 steals as a team, the Chukars forced the Vikings into 24 turnovers, with 15 coming in the final 20 minutes. TVCC defeated BBCC 46-43.
Only three players scored in double-figures for the game, two of which wore the TVCC uniform. Makhar posted a game-high 23 points, including five steals and rebounds. Ashraf Barsham put up a stat line that included 14 points, six rebounds, and three steals.
With an overall record of 6-8 and 2-0 in the East Region, the Chukars will host the Walla Walla Warriors and the Yakima Valley Yaks this week. On Wednesday, the 13-3 overall, 2-0 East Region Warriors visit Ontario with tipoff at 7:00pm. Then, on Saturday, the Chukars will face the Yaks, who are currently 7-7 overall, and 1-1 in the East Region. The Yaks will host the Hawks from Columbia Basin, who are 9-5 overall and 0-2 in the East Region on Wednesday.