Boys basketball: Echo beats Wallowa, despite Barnum’s 33 points

Published 7:58 am Thursday, December 14, 2023

ECHO — Issac Barnum poured in 33 points but it just was not enough as Echo downed the Wallowa boys basketball team 67-55 in nonleague action on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in the Echo gym.

“We are figuring things out and things are clicking,” said Wallowa coach Deon Chandler. “We just needed maybe two minutes more in the game.”

A slow start burdened the Cougars with only nine points scored in the first quarter. At the half, Echo led 35-22.

Wallowa added 13 points to their total in the third and Barnum scored 14 of his game-high 33 points in the final eight minutes, but Wallowa came up short in the comeback.

Gabe Nobles ended the game with 10 points, the only additional Wallowa player in double figures.

Wallowa (1-6 overall) attempts to grab some wins starting Friday, Dec. 15 at the Bouncin Cancer Tournament in the Nixyaawii gym. The Cougars are scheduled to take on the host Golden Eagles (2-2 overall) on Friday with a game versus Pilot Rock (0-5 overall) on Saturday, Dec. 16.