Walla Walla Community College
Men's Basketball

Men grind out win over BMCC

Walla Walla Community College broke open a close game in the second half to defeat visiting Blue Mountain Community College 82-72 Saturday in Northwest Athletic Conference men’s basketball action at the Dietrich Dome.

The Timberwolves scored the last 15 points of the first half to close to Warrior lead to 44-42 at halftime.

Caulin Bakalarski poured in 29 points, including seven of eight from three-point land, and Gabe Porter tallied 25 for the Warriors.

“Defensively we played well and kept BMCC’s better players in check for the most part, but we had some lapses that helped BMCC get back into it,” said Warriors coach Jeff Reinland. “We missed a lot of wide open looks and some opportunities to take control of the game. We got the win but had to grind it out.

“We really want to get back to shooting the ball as well as we did in the early part of the season.”

The coach said Bakalarski had a great game.

“He played a really smart game tonight, and Gabe Porter also played very well,” Reinland said.

Blue Mountain (4-18, 2-10) was led by Jared Mathews with 19 points.

WWCC (19-6, 10-3 NWAC) plays Columbia Basin Wednesday with tipoff at 8 p.m. in the Dietrich Dome.