Vikings down Polson to open conference play, go 1-1 at East/West Classic

The Vikings basketball squad went 2-1 last week as they picked up wins over Polson and Dawson County (Glendive) but fell to Billings Central.

The most exciting game of the week came against Dawson County at the East/West Tournament in Lewistown Saturday morning as the Vikings escaped with a 50-48 win after a last-second shot was waved off.

After a back-and-forth first 16 minutes, Bigfork took a 27-25 lead into the halftime break thanks to an inbounds-play jumper by Eli Thorness.

Bigfork’s defense forced two straight shot-clock violations by the Red Devils to open the second half, but neither team could find the basket until Thorness put in a free throw with 3:47 to play in the third quarter.

Bigfork trailed by one late in the quarter before an offensive rebound and put back basket by Wyatt Johnson gave the Vikings a 32-31 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Thorness scored nine straight points for the Vikes to open the final eight minutes of play, but the game remained close.

An inside bucket by Dylan Porrovecchio and a three by Jack Jensen gave the Vikings a 46-40 lead with 2:42 to play before free throws by Johnson and Asher Knopik maintained a six-point lead with 1:06 remaining.

Levi Eaton answered with six straight points for the Red Devils to cut the Bigfork lead to 50-48 with 1.3 seconds to play.

After a pair of missed free throws by Johnson, the Red Devils had one last chance, but a long three that went off the backboard and in was waved off as the shot came a fraction of a second after time expired.

Thorness and Asher Knopik each had 13 points to lead the way for the Vikings in the win, with Thorness added four rebounds and Knopik five.

Johnson finished with eight points and nine rebounds while Jensen scored six, Cole Knopik had four and Austin Savik, Colin Wade and Porrovecchio each scored two points.

The Vikings found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard Friday afternoon as they fell to Billings Central in Lewistown, 54-49.

Bigfork fell behind 19-13 after one quarter of play, but a three-point play by Asher Knopik cut the Rams’ lead to two with 44 seconds to play in the first half before a pair of free throws by Wade tied the score at 28 heading into the half.

Billings Central grabbed a 42-39 lead after three quarters of play as neither team could pull away.

Bigfork continued to trail by only three with less than two minutes to play, but the Vikings could not erase the deficit as the Rams held on for the win.

Again, Thorness and Asher Knopik led the Bigfork effort with 15 points each while Wade and Jensen each added five points. Johnson scored four points, Cole Knopik had three and Savik added two for Bigfork.

Polson was able to keep the game close for a half as the Vikings opened their conference schedule at home Tuesday, Dec. 12, but Bigfork dominated the second half to pull away for an 81-49 victory.

Bigfork jumped out to a 22-13 lead after one quarter of action but had to settle for a 33-29 advantage at halftime.

It was all Vikings in the second half as Bigfork outscored the Pirates 47-20 over the final 16 minutes of play.

Bigfork had three players score in double figures, led by Thorness with 17 while Asher Knopik added 13 and Cole Knopik had 12 points.

Asher also added six rebounds and six assists while Thorness also had six rebounds.

Johnson chipped in with nine points and six rebounds, Savik had eight points and six rebounds, Jack Lucke scored eight points, Jensen and Wade both scored six and Porrovecchio had two points.

The Vikes were on the road to take on Hamilton after press time Tuesday and will be on the road again Thursday as they travel to Stevensville.