It's been a difficult final stretch for the Yakima Valley women's basketball team, but the Yaks almost erased all of their frustrations in the season finale against first-place Big Bend last Wednesday on the road.

YVC took an eight-point lead into the locker room but couldn't hold off the Vikings in the end, falling 65-61. The Yaks were led by a season-best shooting performance from Gwen Dawes, who scored a game-high 22 to go with four rebounds. Britany Phillips posted 15 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, but she struggled from the field, going 5-of-21 Jewelisa Landa scored eight points off the bench, including two of the Yaks' seven 3-pointers, while Brooklynne Sylve added seven points and six rebounds. Ashlynn Sylve recorded six points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals as YVC shot 31.5% (23-of-73) as a team.

After starting NWAC East play at 5-3, the Yaks lost their final six games to finish 5-9 (14-13 overall), tied for fifth place in the conference.