Lady Yaks stop Big Bend
Big Bend forward Tayler Anderson (15) goes up for a basket during the second half of Big Bend's 73-65 loss to Yakima Valley Community College. Photo by Derrick Pacheco/Columbia Basin Herald
MOSES LAKE — The Lady Vikings continued to battle the Lady Yaks Wednesday night but the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges East Division co-leader Yakima Valley proved too much for Big Bend.
Yakima Valley pressed Big Bend all night, forcing 27 turnovers on their way to a 73-65 road victory over the Lady Vikings.
Big Bend head coach Preston Wilks said Yakima Valley is a solid basketball team.
“That is a tough team to play because of the style they play,” Wilks said. “We only had 10 turnovers in the second half.”
Despite struggling to take care of the ball Wednesday night and falling behind 34-25 at the half, the Lady Vikings recovered to go on a 10-1 run to start the second half and tie the game 35-35.
After Big Bend closed the gap, Yakima Valley responded with a run of their own, putting distance between themselves and the Lady Vikings.
As the second half progressed, the Lady Yaks continued to press the Lady Vikings and the deficit continued to grow to 51-39 before Wilks called a timeout with 11 minutes left.
“I called them in and challenged them,” he said. “We are here for the team. We will win as a team and we will lose as individuals and they responded.”
Wilks’ motivational words worked as Big Bend dominated the offensive glass to pull within a possession of Yakima Valley.
Big Bend pulled down 55 rebounds Wednesday night, including 22 offensive rebounds on their way to 21 second-chance points.
As the teams headed into halftime, the Lady Vikings held a one rebound advantage over the Lady Yaks and Wilks challenged his team during the break.
“I wanted them to come out and out-rebound them by 10 in the second half,” he said. “We went out there and out-rebounded them by 14 in the second half.”
However, the Lady Yaks were too much for the Lady Vikings down the stretch on their way to the 73-65 victory.
After the loss, Wilks said he was proud of the way his team played.
“I am real proud of them,” he said. “ “They played their guts out. I told them I will take them any day in any battle.”