YVCC starts fast in victory

PENDLETON, Ore. — Upset with its effort Friday night, the Yakima Valley women's basketball team vowed not to make the same mistake Saturday at Blue Mountain.

Behind a withering first-half defensive effort, the Yaks broke to a comfortable halftime lead and cruised to a 69-54 victory.

"They know they didn't play well last night," YVCC coach Cody Butler said of Friday's narrow 73-71 victory at Treasure Valley. "We had a team meeting after the game, and they made the goal to play hard tonight.

"It was good to see the turnaround."

Yakima Valley (11-3, 23-5) limited Blue Mountain to just
24 percent shooting in the first half (7 of 29) as the Yaks broke to a 38-17 halftime lead.

"We played some pretty tough D in the first half," Butler said.

Yakima Valley wasn't as tough in the second half, but Blue Mountain still shot just
36 percent for the game (22 of 61) and had 23 turnovers. The Yaks recorded 20 steals.

Chelsey Nill sparked Yakima Valley's quick start, hitting three of her four 3-pointers in an opening 12-2 run. Nill finished with 22 points to lead the Yaks.

Yakima Valley closes East Region play Wednesday, when the fourth-ranked Yaks play host to fifth-ranked Spokane in Sherar Gym.

YAKIMA VALLEY — Baker 0-3 0-2 0, Weaver 1-8 0-0 2, Harris 3-6 1-2 7, Moore-Porter 1-2 2-2 4, Woodke 2-3 1-2 5, Blodgett 2-6 2-2 7, Gonzales 5-8 1-1 11, Nill 8-20 2-2 22, Dixey 4-8 3-5 11, Shaw 0-5 0-0 0. Totals 26-69 12-18 69.