First-half run helps Vikings run away from Mustangs for 88-62 win

Quinn Denker is fouled by Delta's Carson Simi in second half action
Quinn Denker is fouled by Delta's Carson Simi in second half action

A 16-5 run in the last 4:24 of the first half lifted the West Valley basketball team to an 88-62 win over visiting San Joaquin Delta Tuesday night. Jacquez Walker ignited the run when he drained a three followed by a two-pointer :30 later. Mahmoud Fofana hit three consecutive twos between 2:50 and 1:44, and Ignacio Bettinelli closed the half with a long-range three from the top of the key to give the Vikings (6-0) a 43-24 advantage at the break. Just as importantly, WVC held the Mustangs (2-4) without a point in the final 2:36.

Bettinelli stayed hot in the second half, canning three buckets, but Quinn Denker really caught fire. Denker's second trey at 14:12 lifted the Vikings to a 53-35 lead and his and-one made it 60-42 with 11:27 left. A Ben Baker three at 5:42 made it 77-47 and Denker gave the Vikings its largest lead of the night, 79-47, 20 seconds later. Anyel Ortiz closed out the WVC scoring with back-to-back buckets at 1:28 and :56.

Denker finished with a game-high 18 points, followed by Walker with 13 and Fofana's 12. Baker and Malik Patton, starting for the injured Adam Afifi, each had ten. Vincent Olmo had a team-high 18 to lead the Mustangs.

The Vikings, ranked #2 in the state in this week's CCCMBCA poll, host #13 College of San Mateo (6-0) in a battle of unbeatens Saturday, Nov. 27. Tipoff is 3:00pm. Tickets are available at https://westvalley.prestosports.com/Tickets, and the matchup can be viewed on the WVC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb_SZRdylXUmeT8IK_GLfmQ