Just like that, the Yakima Valley men's basketball team is back in the playoff hunt. The Yaks won their third game in a row Saturday night at first-place Walla Walla to improve to 5-6 in the NWAC East, just a half-game behind Columbia Basin and Treasure Valley for third place.

Jose Brown scored a game-high 42 points and Clay Delp added 12 as YVC came back from a three-point halftime deficit to topple the Warriors, 93-89. Jaymon Wright and Kameron Ferrell scored nine points apiece, Fabian Alvarado had seven, and Kenzel Massey and Levi Dorsett each had six, helping the Yaks shoot 50% (35-of-70) from the field. Massey delivered a team-high nine rebounds, Wright and Brown each pulled down six boards, and Delp had five, giving YVC a 33-25 rebounding advantage.

The Yaks were also on their game last Wednesday at home against Treasure Valley, outscoring the Chukars by five in the second half to claim an 82-76 victory. Delp led four players in double figures with 22 points and also had seven rebounds and five assists. Brown posted 15 points, five assists and four rebounds, Wright had 12 points, seven boards and three assists, and Massey contributed 10 points and four rebounds.

Alvarado added nine points off the bench, while Ferrell and Zion Jones scored six points apiece on a night where the Yaks shot 55.6% (30-of-54) from the field. YVC also won the battle of the boards, 38-28, to remain in the playoff hunt with three conference games remaining.

The Yaks (11-12 overall) will look to add to their recent win streak at Columbia Basin on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Spokane on Saturday.