Lady Vikes' Winning Streak Snapped by Walla Walla in Defensive Battle

The Lady Vikes entered their crucial matchup against the Walla Walla Warriors riding a 10-game winning streak. A victory would not only extend their run to 11 straight wins but also secure the number one seed in the Eastern Region. However, standing in their way was an equally formidable Warriors squad, also boasting an 11-1 record.

The game started sluggishly for both teams offensively. BBCC struggled from the floor, shooting just 3-for-15 in the first quarter and totaling only eight points. Fortunately, their defensive intensity set the tone early, as they held Walla Walla to an abysmal 1-for-14 shooting effort, taking an 8-2 lead after the opening 10 minutes.

The offenses started to find their rhythm in the second quarter, trading baskets and increasing the tempo. By halftime, the Lady Vikes maintained a slim 20-17 advantage, positioning themselves well for a strong second half.

However, the third quarter proved to be BBCC's undoing. They endured their worst offensive frame of the season, managing just one field goal on 10 attempts and scoring only four points. Meanwhile, Walla Walla capitalized on the Lady Vikes' struggles, outscoring them 18-4 to build an 11-point lead heading into the final quarter.

Despite their best efforts in the fourth, BBCC couldn't mount a comeback, as both teams traded baskets and finished with 12 points apiece in the last 10 minutes. The Warriors ultimately secured a hard-fought 47-36 victory, snapping the Lady Vikes' impressive win streak.

BBCC's shooting woes proved to be their downfall, as they connected on just 25% of their field goal attempts and recorded a season-low 36 points. Despite the tough loss, Head Coach Preston Wilks remained optimistic about his team's defensive performance and their outlook moving forward.

"Even though we didn't get the result we were all hoping for, we did play an exceptional defensive game today. We have now held that team, both times this year, to under 50 points, which was enough to win the game from a defensive strategy. However, our offensive woes in the second half were too much to overcome," said Wilks. "Even though we didn't get the East Region championship we hoped for, we have now set our eyes on the bigger prize of the NWAC championship. We hope to fine-tune our offensive attack in our final regular season game at Yakima and then start preparing for the first-round opponent in the tournament."

Up next, the Lady Vikes hit the road for a crucial showdown against Yakima Valley on Wednesday, February 26th, aiming to close out the regular season on a high note before embarking on their postseason journey.