Columbia Basin defeated Big Bend to open up league play at home 89-42. Kenzi Pedersen lead all scores with 19 while Jayauna Keister added 11 points, 9 boards and 5 assists in support.

After a disappointing finish to preseason on the road at Linn-Benton, the Hawks were in need of a get-right game and they got just that. Against a Big Bend team of all freshman, CBC laid the wood down early and often. A 25 point first quarter was lead by quality team defense and inside scoring from Pedersen and fellow forward Erin Morgan. Morgan scored 8 of her 18 in the frame as CBC took a 25-9 lead and never looked back.

Sophomore guard Lexie Heath got hot in the second knocking down 3 shots from deep. The tandum of Keister and Aniyah Heavens were able to control the game when Nichols and Heath came out without any dropoff. Basin was able to get to 50 points going into the half while holding the Vikings to just 1-11 from deep.

The third quarter featured more defense and more Morgan as Big Bend shot just 3 of 20 from the floor while Morgan continued dominance in the offensive paint. Heading into the 4th, Nichols and Heath took a seat for the day to rest their legs as Heavens and Keister steered the ship home. Pedersen was 5-5 in the 4th while CBC shot 9-14 for 21 points and the eventual 89-42 victory.

The win improves the Hawks to 10-2 on the year and the early win in region. They will get a road tester on Wednesday as they will travel to Treasure Valley to take on an upstart Chukar team. Tipoff scheduled for 5pm MDT.