MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend men’s basketball team avenged an early season loss to Peninsula Saturday night as the Vikings sank the Pirates 83-53 in the  Basic American Foods Viking Classic basketball tournament.

The Vikings fell 79-72 in overtime Nov. 21 to begin the 2008-2009 season. Big Bend rectified that loss Saturday when they ran out to a 45-24 halftime lead and never looked back. 

Big Bend head basketball coach Mark Poth said he was impressed with his team’s performance during the tournament.

“We had a pretty good tournament,” he said. “We played well both nights.”

The Vikings continued to pour it on the Pirates in the second half and Big Bend  distanced themselves late. Big Bend built their largest lead of the night at 30 points when time expired — the Vikings’ margin of victory.

Poth said his team has improved throughout the season.

“We are heading in a positive direction,” he said. “We need to continue to build on what we are doing.”

While Big Bend knocked off Peninsula, Poth said his team needs to play well on the defensive side of the basketball.

“We are going to have to be a real good defensive team,” he said.

Jeff Ranstrom led the Vikings in scoring with 27 points and nine rebounds. Cody Groth and Michael Hattar each added 13 points in the win.

The Vikings host Salish-Kootenai Tuesday night in their final non-conference home game.

The opening tip is scheduled for 8 p.m.