Top-ranked Big Bend rallies past Titan men

KENNEWICK, Wash. — Brendan Westendorf scored 21 points and Big Bend heated up in the second half to rally for a 65-57 men’s basketball victory over Lane in the first round of the Nothwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges tournament at the Toyota Center on Saturday.

The Runnin Vikes (25-4), ranked first in the 32-team NWAACC, shot 53.3 percent from the field in the second half to overcome a 28-25 deficit as well as the Titans’ 49-31 edge in rebounding.

Byron Johnson led Lane (21-9) with 13 points, and Levi Strandberg had 10. The Titans drop into the consolation bracket, where they will play Centralia (18-10) at 8 a.m. today.

FROM THE EUGENE REGISTER GUARD WEBSITE (https://www.registerguard.com)